'Chowkidar chor hai' new slogan in India: Rahul Gandhi

While addressing a public gathering in poll-bound Rajasthan's Pokhran, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying a new slogan, 'Chowkidar chor hai', is the new slogan in India.

"Now a new slogan is rising in India Chowkidar chor hai", Rahul said, while adding, "Modi ji says don't make me the Prime Minister, make me the chowkidar (watchman) of this country. But, after coming to power, the prime minister has betrayed the trust of people."

Continuing his tirade against the Prime Minister, Rahul stated: "Modi ji says India was a sleeping giant before he became Prime Minister. This is an insult to all the Indians who have built this nation."

The Gandhi scion also blamed Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in divisive politics. "BJP divides people and spreads hatred among them, however, Congress always speaks for a united nation and brotherhood," he opined.

While alleging that the Prime Minister has forgotten the promises made by him, Rahul remarked, "Earlier, Modi ji used to talk about two crore jobs, a fair MSP for farmers, he used to take stand against corruption. But these days he does not utter a single word about any of these promises and issues."

Raking up the issue of farmers the Congress chief stressed on the grievances of the state's peasants. "Are you getting appropriate prices? Did Narendra Modi Ji provide you with any benefit of loan waiver schemes?" he asked the attendees.

The demonitisation of high currency notes in 2016 also found a mention in his speech as he again alleged Modi of favouring industrialists. "Mehul Bhai of PM Modi ji ran away with Rs. 35,000 crores, which is equal to a yearly expenditure of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MNREGA), " Gandhi claimed.

Rahul further slammed the BJP government and stated that the party is involved in money laundering scams led by loan defaulters Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. "Did Prime Minister ever say in his speeches that he will bring these loan defaulters back to the country?" he questioned.

Further targeting the ruling party over corruption, Rahul said, "PM Modi ji never said that I will put the son of Raman Singh or Vasundhara Raje Scindia behind bars. Is this how a chowkidar performs? He is not a chowkidar of this country, but of Anil Ambani."

Rahul Gandhi charged the government with buying Rafale jets from France at inflated prices and alleged that the Prime Minister changed the contract in Anil Ambani's favour.

"Indian Air Force urged Manmohan Singh to buy a Rafale jet from France, costing of Rs 526 crores each." Manmohan agreed to it saying that one aircraft will be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Prime Minister Modi later changed the terms of contract with Anil Ambani and the deal was later signed for Rs 1,600 crore for each aircraft," he said.

The Congress president also trained guns at Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia for rising corruption, farmer's suicide and unemployment in the state.

Lauding the efforts of youths and farmers, he stated, "This country is not run by any political party, India has reached so far due to the sacrifices of our farmers, youths and as well as the citizens of Rajasthan.