Rahul Gandhi fails to reach Almora, addresses rally over phone
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Almora, 4 Jun: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could not reach Almora from Pantnagar due to ‘inclement weather’ and returned to Delhi cancelling his Almora and Pauri visits. However, he later addressed thousands of Congress workers and supporters gathered at Simkani Ground in Almora here through a mobile phone call and launched a sharp attack on both the Central and State governments. Unable to attend the public meeting in person because of ‘adverse weather conditions’, Rahul Gandhi joined the gathering over the telephone from Delhi and addressed the rally through a mobile phone connected to the public address system by Congress’ Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja. While concluding his virtual address, he assured the people of Uttarakhand that he would soon return to the State.
In his brief address, Rahul Gandhi made huge allegations against Modi Government as well as the Dhami Government in Uttarakhand. Gandhi said that Uttarakhand was created with the vision that its people would determine their own future, but alleged that the state is no longer being governed by its own people and is instead being run from Delhi through remote control. He claimed that Uttarakhand’s natural resources are being continuously exploited and that the government has drifted away from the aspirations of the people.
The Leader of the Opposition used the occasion to mount a strong offensive against the Narendra Modi-led Central Government, claiming that the government had failed in respect of foreign policy, agriculture, education and the economic issues.
Questioning the Centre’s foreign policy, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi Government had effectively surrendered India’s independent foreign policy to the United States and to Donald Trump. He claimed that India is being subjected to external pressure and that decisions regarding oil imports were increasingly being influenced by American interests. He also claimed that India at present can purchase oil only from those nations approved by the US adding that India has lost its strategic autonomy.
Turning to domestic issues, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the country’s education system and agricultural sector are facing a deep crisis because of the policies of the present government. He claimed that government policies are not designed to benefit the ordinary citizens and farmers but are instead aimed at favouring a handful of influential industrialists and billionaires.
Referring to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Rahul Gandhi alleged that its flawed implementation has forced numerous small businesses to shut down, resulting in widespread job losses and concentration of trade in the hands of a few large corporate groups. He further contended that demonetisation and the GST regime have severely damaged small traders and micro, small and medium enterprises, weakening the country’s economic foundation.
Gandhi also accused the Central Government of undermining the agricultural and educational systems and claimed that the government is pursuing policies which primarily benefit a select group of wealthy persons. Reiterating his criticism of the government’s economic policies, the Congress leader alleged that demonetisation has taken away people’s savings and has destroyed the backbone of the Indian economy. According to him, small businesses have been systematically weakened, while the benefits of economic growth had accrued disproportionately to a few large industrial houses.
Rahul Gandhi also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not working for the interests of India but for the interests of the US and a handful of billionaires. He also alleged that the country’s foreign policy is no longer independent and remarked that Narendra Modi’s control is with Donald Trump, asserting that international developments and ongoing conflicts have triggered an economic tsunami that is affecting ordinary citizens.
Rahul Gandhi expressed regret at being unable to meet the people of Almora in person. He said he had reached Pantnagar in the morning and was scheduled to travel by helicopter to Almora for the public meeting. However, due to severe weather conditions, the pilot declined to undertake the flight, making the journey impossible.
Rahul Gandhi claimed that he wanted to sit among the people, listen to their concerns and understand their hopes, aspirations and challenges. He noted that he intended to discuss Uttarakhand’s current situation, its economic and social issues, and the challenges confronting the State. He also referred to a scheduled interaction with ex-servicemen in Pauri Garhwal and other planned engagements that had to be cancelled because of the weather.
Assuring the gathering that he would return soon, Rahul Gandhi promised that his next visit would allow sufficient time for meaningful interaction with the people. He said he wanted to hear their views directly and hold detailed discussions on building a better future for the state.
During the course of his address, Rahul Gandhi repeatedly praised Congress workers, describing them as lions and urged them to continue their struggle with determination. Concluding his speech, he appealed to party workers and supporters not to be disappointed by the cancellation of the programme and assured them that he would soon be back among them. “I will come again soon,” he said before ending his address.
Kumari Selja formally announced the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s Almora visit due to adverse weather conditions and informed the gathering about his telephonic participation in the rally. Among those present on the dais were Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, MLAs Sumit Hridayesh and Bhuvan Kapri, along with Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, Harish Dhami, Manoj Tiwari and several other senior Congress leaders and party functionaries.
Later, Gandhi also addressed ex-servicemen in Pauri over mobile phone in which he strongly criticised the Agniveer scheme. It may be recalled that, in Pauri, Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to interact with ex-servicemen. A large conference of ex-servicemen was slated to take place there. Additionally, he was scheduled to visit Kotdwar, where he was to meet with Mohammad Deepak. Following this, Rahul Gandhi had a meeting scheduled in Dehradun with Congress leaders and the party office-bearers.
