BJP doesn't have money for poor, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the BJP does not have money for the poor people. He was addressing a Congress-JDS joint election rally here.

"BJP doesn't have money for the government schools and colleges, health, and hospitals, but 15-20 rich people go for loans and get," he said.

"In the last five years, the BJP hasn't done anything for poor, farmers, small businessmen. All the work the BJP has done is for its richest friends. Chowkidar has given Rafale contract to Anil Ambani," he said.

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul said: "He put Rs 30,000 crore in Ambani's pocket. At midnight, he removed the CBI director. In the last five years, 15 rich people's loans have been waived off but the BJP says it is not its policy to waive off farmers' loans."

Gandhi said: "We have waived off loans in Karnataka. Where did that money come from? In Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab we waived off loans. Where did they get money from? There is no shortage of money," he said.

"Within six months of forming the government, we will implement a new scheme. If Prime Minister Modi can give money to the rich, we will give money to the poor and farmers as well," he said.

Talking about his NYAY scheme, Gandhi said: "The Modi government had promised to give Rs 15 lakh, but that was a lie. Our NYAY scheme is a surgical strike against poverty, under which 20 per cent of the poorest families of the country will be entitled up to Rs 72, 000 per years.