Rahul's unity mantra to Karnataka Congress leaders, announces unemployment aid guarantee for youth

Gandhi hit out at the BJP-led Central government, saying 'this country belongs to everyone, does not belong to two to three selected people'

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday wooed the youth with a slew of promises for youth empowerment, including unemployment allowance and filling up vacancies in government agencies, if the party is voted to power in the state.

Addressing the Yuva Kranti rally here, Rahul announced the fourth guarantee of the Congress party. "Under the Yuva Nidhi, the jobless graduates will receive the unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month while the unemployed diploma holders will get Rs 1,500 pm," he said.

The Congress leader further said, "On coming to power, the Congress party will create 10 lakh jobs for the youth in five years and will take steps to fill 2.5 lakh vacancies in the government agencies."

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The party has already announced three poll ‘guarantees’ - 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of the family (Gruha Lakshmi), and 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), in the event of the party coming to power in the state.

Launching a broadside against the BJP government in the state, Rahul said, "The Bommai-led BJP administration is the "most corrupt government. This is the 40% commission government and the people of Karnataka want to get rid of the government.

Listing out the alleged scandals of the BJP government, he said, "The contractors and school management associations had written to Prime Minister Modi about allegations of 40% commission, a BJP MLA's son was caught with Rs 8 crore while accepting 'bribe' for awarding contract. But the government has been shielding the wrongdoers," the former AICC president charged.

He urged the Congress leaders to put up an united front to defeat the BJP and bring the Congress back to power.

'Strong message to state, country'

All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Assembly elections, slated for May, in the state will send a strong message to the state and the country.

The Congress has a strong connection with Belagavi. It is where Mahatma Gandhi presided over the INC meet in 1924. The district was once a Congress stronghold, The party used to win 15 to 16 seats here. The atmosphere is conducive for the party now to bring back old glory.

He slammed the Modi-led central government for targeting Rahul Gandhi adding that he (Rahul) is not afraid of taking them on.

On Modi's remote control jibe at him, Kharge said, "If I am remote controlled by a certain family, then what about Nadda. Who controls him?," he hit out.

Brain drain: Siddu targets Modi

Speaking on the occasion, Leader of the Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah said the brain drain problem is getting worse after the Narendra Modi-led government came to power at the Centre.

"In the last 8 to 9 years, 12.89 lakh graduates have migrated to foreign countries. You said 2 crore jobs will be generated in the country. Going by your announcement, the country should have seen 18 crore new jobs. Where are they? You forced the youth to migrate to other countries for jobs. More than 60 lakh micro and small industries have shut shop," he alleged.

(With agency inputs)