Rahul questions BJP on releasing JeM chief

Haveri: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday once again raked up the issue of late Prime Minister AB Vajpayee releasing Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Moulana Masood Azhar.
“A few days ago, CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama. I want to ask the PM: Who killed them? What is the name of the chief of JeM? Wasn't it a BJP government which freed Azhar from an Indian jail?” Rahul said at his first poll rally in Haveri.
Addressing an estimated audience of 75,000 drawn from adjoining districts of Gadag and Dharwad besides Haveri at the Municipal Grounds for the Parivarthan Rally, Rahul, in his 46-minute speech, wanted an explanation from PM Narendra Modi for the terror attacks. He added that Congress was, however, not the same. “We don’t bend before terrorism,’’ he said.
He accused Modi of dividing the nation into two parts, one for the rich and affluent and another for the poor, Dalits, women, downtrodden who were neglected and promised ‘Ek Hindustan’ by closing the gap between them. Rahul assured that if Congress forms the next government at the Centre, he’d implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for the poor. The model was already announced in Chhattisgarh, he said.
Under this scheme, poor would get minimum income directly to their accounts. The BJP has stolen money from the poor, taxpayers and middle class and offered it to Anil Ambani, Adani, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya and others. “The BJP helped thieves but Congress will help the poor,’’ he assured.
He said, if voted to power, Congress would first implement the Women’s Reservation Bill. “Women should be involved in major decision making; they are required in prime elected representative bodies. The Congress will provide you that opportunity,” he said.
Rahul said if the Congress is voted to power, it’d simplify Goods and Service Tax by bringing in reforms. “ I know the pain of small vendors, small and medium entrepreneurs who went through hardship because of this ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ and demonetisation implemented by this government,” he said.