In his inaugural Lok Sabha election rally in Haryana, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that Modi had “lost his reputation.” Gandhi reiterated the Congress party’s promises to abolish the Agniveer Scheme for Armed Forces recruitment and to waive farmers’ debts if elected to power.
Addressing a public meeting in Mahendragarh, Haryana, Gandhi accused Modi of demeaning India’s soldiers by turning them into labourers through the Agniveer Scheme. He claimed the scheme, formulated by the Prime Minister’s Office rather than the Army, created two classes of martyrs—those receiving full benefits and pensions, and those from poor families who would not.
Gandhi pledged that an INDIA bloc government would discard the scheme if they came to power on June 4, the day of counting.
He also promised to waive farmers’ debts and guarantee a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. Criticizing Modi for refusing to waive farmers’ debts while favouring billionaires, Gandhi said, “But we are going to ‘spoil the farmers’ when we return to power and waive their debts not just once but again and again.”
Gandhi proposed forming a commission to evaluate and approve debt waivers as needed. During his day-long tour of Haryana, he addressed another rally in Sonipat and planned to attend a program in Panchkula.
Gandhi accused billionaire Gautam Adani of controlling the government and criticized Modi for “selling off” airports and railway stations to the Adani Group, stating, “The balloon has burst.”
He reiterated his promise to deposit ₹8,500 monthly into poor families’ bank accounts to stimulate the economy and create jobs. He also pledged to increase MGNREGS wages to ₹400, double the wages for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, and grant the “Right for First Job” to fresh graduates.
Concluding his 30-minute speech, Gandhi held up a pocket edition of the Constitution of India, urging people to protect it against the BJP, which he alleged was openly planning to dismantle the Constitution and end reservations.
All ten Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will vote in the sixth phase of the elections on May 25.
