In BJP's model money is in hands of select rich, while Cong gives to poor: Rahul Gandhi
Hosapete (Karnataka), May 20 (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday said that the BJP follows a model under which select rich people get entire money and resources, whereas in the Congress' model, money is put into the bank accounts and the pockets of the poor.
The Congress leader asserted that the party's government in Karnataka has implemented the "sixth guarantee" promised to the people, by distributing over one lakh title deeds to the beneficiaries.
He was speaking at an event to mark Karnataka Congress government's two years in office, during which over 1.11 lakh title deeds were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, whose "undocumented habitations" have been declared as revenue villages.
"Congress party government has completed two years. During the election, we made you promises. We had promised five guarantees. The BJP people said that the Congress party will not be able to fulfill it. The Prime Minister said this won't be done," Gandhi said.
Listing out the five guarantee schemes implemented by the government, he said, "We have told you that we will put money into the bank account of Karnataka's poor. Today, thousands of crores of rupees are being put directly into your bank account. This money, you use for the education of your children, for your health. This is what we wanted -- your money comes back to your pocket."
"The BJP wants only select people to get India's entire money, but we want the money to go to the pockets of poor, backward, dalits, adivasis -- directly. When we put money into your pockets, that money goes into the market and because of this production increases and the money gets injected into villages, as you spend this money in your villages, towns and cities, and Karnataka's economy benefits from it," he added.
Stating that in the BJP's model, the entire money is given to two-three billionaires, the Congress leader said these billionaires don't spend money in villages or towns, but they buy assets in London, New York and other places.
"Your money goes into the hands of a select few under the BJP's model. In their model, employment gets finished, but in our model, employment gets generated. In their model, if you are ill, you will be under debt, in our model, you will have money in your pockets and you will get treated. You will give lakhs of money to private schools, colleges and universities for education under their model and face debt, while in our model we give you money," he added.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, party general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, host of party leaders and ministers were present at the event.
The Congress government's five guarantee schemes are -- 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), the additional 5 kg of rice to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya), Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years (Yuva Nidhi), and free travel for women in public transport buses (Shakti).
Noting that there were many people in Karnataka who had land but did not have property rights over it, and Dalit and adivasi hamlets were not even considered as revenue villages, and they lacked government facilities, Gandhi said he had discussed it with Kharge, Siddaramaiah and others during election, and wanted those who have such lands in the state, to also have property right over it.
"I'm happy today we have succeeded in fulfilling our sixth guarantee. Over one lakh families are today being given title deeds by the Karnataka government. We have taken a major step in fulfilling former PM Indira Gandhi's dream," he said.
Pointing out that 2,000 habitations are being declared as revenue villages in the state, Gandhi said he has also asked to ensure that there is a digital registry.
"Poor may not be able to get their land record. They won't get their documents despite several years. That is why I have said there should be a digital registry in the 21st century. You may have a physical copy, but whenever in need, you should be able to take a digital copy," he said.
Highlighting that the "sixth guarantee" will benefit the poor, belonging to Lambani, Banjara, Soliga, Bovi, among other communities, Gandhi further said there are 50,000 families, who still don't have property rights, and "I want that within six months they too are given title deeds."
"About 2,000 revenue villages have been declared. I want 500 more new revenue villages to be declared. There should be no one in Karnataka who doesn't have property rights over their land. We want Karnataka to become the first state in the country where whoever has the land also has right over it," he said.
The Congress had promised five guarantees, but has implemented six, and they were most needed for Karnataka's future, as it benefits crores of families, he added.
कर्नाटक में चुनाव के वक्त हमने 5 गारंटी दी थीं, लेकिन आज 6 पूरी की हैं। एक लाख से ज़्यादा परिवारों को उनकी ज़मीन का मालिकाना हक़ दिया गया है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 20, 2025
यह कर्नाटक के भविष्य के लिए सबसे महत्वपूर्ण गारंटी है, जिससे करोड़ों परिवारों को, खासकर गरीबों, दलितों और आदिवासियों को, सीधा फायदा होगा।… pic.twitter.com/1vSqELdPoN
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
