Rahul revives Modi's promise of special status for AP

Five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised special category status for the state of Andhra Pradesh and failed to fulfil it, AICC chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday reiterated that he will do the honours if his party is voted to power at the Centre.

He made the renewed promise while addressing a public meeting at Taraka Rama grounds in the temple town Tirupati at the foothills of Tirumala, where Modi had showered promises on the newborn state.

“Today I went to the most holy temple. It was an honour to offer prayers at the temple. The people showered love and affection. It is my commitment to you that you will be given special status,” Rahul said. “When Congress comes to power at the Centre, no power in the world can stop us from giving you SCS. When we do that it will be like every citizen of the country giving what rightfully belongs to AP.” he said. He assured that special category status would be accorded irrespective of whether a Congress government is in the state or not.

“One must stick to one's words. The people of AP were promised special category status and it was not by some random person. The PM speaks on behalf of the nation. It doesn’t matter whether it is Manmohan Singh or Modi,” Rahul said. He said PM Modi should be ashamed for not granting special status.
Nailing Modi's lies

On the same occasion, Modi had promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in every citizen's account, 2 crore jobs every year and fair price for farmers' produce, Rahul said. Listing the broken promises of the prime minister, he said the Congress had fulfilled the promises it made during the recent state elections. “We promised loan waiver in three states and we implemented it within days of assuming power. Modi waived Rs 3.5 lakh cr bank loans of the rich but has no money for the farmers, Rahul said.

“Every single statement of Modi is a lie. He wanted you to make him Chowkidar, but after the Rafale scam, the people of the nation are saying Chowkidar Chor Hai,” Rahul said. Rahul also criticised Modi for continuing to shoot a film at the Corbett National Park even after the Pulwama terror attack.