In a sharp critique of economic inequalities and political favoritism, Lok Sabha MP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections as a battle of ideologies. Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Monday, Gandhi positioned the election as a choice between the interests of a few billionaires and the struggles of the poor.
“The billionaires want the land of Mumbai to go into their hands, and it’s estimated that Rs 1 lakh crore will be given to one billionaire,” he alleged. Gandhi criticized the government for prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of the common people, emphasizing that Maharashtra’s farmers, unemployed youth, and women deserve better support.
Outlining his party’s plans, Gandhi promised to deposit Rs 3,000 monthly into every woman’s bank account, provide free bus travel for women, waive farm loans up to Rs 3 lakh, and ensure soybean farmers receive Rs 7,000 per quintal for their produce. “We will also conduct a caste census, which is central to ensuring justice and equity,” he added, referring to similar initiatives in Congress-ruled Telangana and Karnataka.
Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of allowing Maharashtra’s key industrial projects to shift to Gujarat, including mega projects like Foxconn and Airbus, resulting in a loss of jobs for Maharashtra’s youth. “Our government will protect the interests of the people of Maharashtra,” he asserted.
The Congress leader also slammed what he called the “twisting” of Mumbai’s political and economic framework to benefit a select few. “The land of Mumbai belongs to its people, and we will fight to ensure it remains so,” he said.
With the Congress party framing the elections as a fight for economic justice and the preservation of Mumbai’s identity, Gandhi urged voters to stand against what he termed as the exploitation of the state’s resources for private gain.