Rajasthan Assembly elections: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the fight of ideology going on between BJP and Congress. Addressed a public meeting in Jaipur in poll-bound Rajasthan today (September 23), the Congress leader alleged that as soon as he raised the issue of caste census in Parliament, BJP MPs tried to suppress his voice.
'We want OBC women to benefit from Women's Reservation Bill'
Talking about the recently passed women's reservation bill in teh Parliament, the Wayanad MP said that the BJP wants women’s reservation to be implemented in 10 years, but the Opposition want it today and OBCs included in it. "First, they (Central govt) were not talking about the Women's Reservation. They announced a special session to discuss the India vs Bharat row. But when they saw that people did not accept this topic, they panicked because the special session was already announced. So they brought the women's reservation bill. We supported the bill. BJP is saying that a new census and delimitation is needed to implement the women's reservation but in reality, the 33 per cent reservation can be implemented today. But the BJP wants to delay the reservation for 10 years and we want it to be implemented and we want OBC women to benefit from it," he said.
He further questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the caste census and said that the PM talks about OBCs and respect for them, then why is he afraid of the caste census.
'Maximum punishment in a defamation case was given'
Rahul Gandhi said that for the first time in India, maximum punishment in a defamation case was given and subsequently his Lok Sabha membership was suspended. "They (BJP) did it because they are scared," he added.
The top Congress leader addressed a public rally at Mela Ground. This is Rahul’s second rally in two months. Rahul earlier addressed a large rally attended mostly by tribals in Banswara’s Mangarh on August 9 on World Tribal Day.
Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Jaipur in the morning. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot welcomed Rahul Gandhi on his arrival at the Jaipur airport in the morning today. Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, state president Govind Singh Dotasara and other Congress leaders also welcomed Gandhi.
Kharge and Rahul Gandhi lays foundation stone of new office of Rajasthan Congress
Kharge, along with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and party leader Rahul Gandhi, laid the foundation stone for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi distributed two-wheelers to meritorious girl students at Maharani College and rides pillion on a girl's scooter in Jaipur.
Gandhi Vatika to be inaugurated
Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will also inaugurate Gandhi Vatika, which has been built near Central Park in the capital city to introduce the younger generation to the life and struggles of Mahatma Gandhi.
The assembly elections in Rajasthan are due later this year. In the 2018 Assembly election, the Congress party took control from the BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje. The BJP managed to secure only 73 seats. Since 2018, both Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have been embroiled in a bitter struggle for power.
