BJP causing divisions in society, we will defeat it in 2019: Rahul
Berlin, Aug 24 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the BJP and RSS were weakening the country "by causing divisions and spreading hatred." He said the combined opposition will defeat the ruling alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress on Thursday, Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several issues, including Rafale fighter jet deal and demonetisation. He alleged that Modi discriminates with the non-BJP ruled states.
The Congress leader said he hugged Modi during the debate on no-confidence motion last month to "remove anger" from him.
"When people are angry with me and shouting at me and getting nasty at me, they are frustrated with their own life. They are not angry with me, they are having difficulty dealing with their life. And it is my job as a politician in India to tell them 'don't worry I am going to try and help you, I am going to try and remove the anger from you'. That is why I hugged the Prime Minister," he said.
"Modi has spent a lot of time attacking me, saying nasty things about me. Did everything he said travel faster or my hug (in the Lok Sabha) and affection travel faster. So affection is a very powerful thing," he added.
"Hatred is being spread, farmers continue to commit suicide and the youth are unable to see a way forward," he said.
Gandhi, who took questions, said for the first time judges of the Supreme Court "came to the people for justice". "They have said clearly that they are not being allowed to do their work. The government, the RSS, the Prime Minister are not allowing them to do their work," he said.
The Congress leader said there was a strong common feeling among Opposition parties that the BJP and RSS should not be allowed to "destroy institutions."
"A united opposition is going to fight and defeat the BJP in the next election. There is no doubt," he said, adding that the BJP had bagged only 31 per cent votes in the 2014 elections.
"If the opposition gets together, there's no way that the BJP can win the election," Gandhi said.
Noting that he derives his thinking from the teachings of Guru Nanak, Gandhi said , "the work that Guru Nanakji did, we work by that vision."
Spelling out an alternative vision, he said the new government, formed by parties that are in opposition at present, will focus on education, healthcare and put energy in competing with the Chinese to make sure that India "starts to produce jobs for its youngsters."
"We are not going to do it with 'Make In India' programme that gives the entire finance of the banking sector to the largest 15-20 industrialists. We are going to do it by supporting small and medium businesses. So, it is a completely different vision from the BJP's," he said.
He said the informal sector is the backbone of India in terms of job creation.
He said if the Congress comes to power in 2019 election, it will fulfil the promise of special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
Gandhi accused the the government of causing Rs 41,000 crore loss to the exchequer in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. The offset contract had been taken away from a public sector undertaking, he alleged.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
