India has become slave to some BJP leaders and RSS, says Rahul Gandhi

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that India has become a slave of 2-3 leaders of the ruling party and the RSS.

Speaking at the Congress party's OBC sammelan in Delhi's Talkatora stadium, the party chief said that no one in the BJP is allowed to speak and they are only asked to tow the line of these leaders.

"Everyone including MPs is afraid to speak. Most of them are not allowed to speak. And those of us who do speak, the BJP does not listen to. Only RSS is given a hearing," Rahul said. "Today, our nation has become a slave of 2-3 BJP leaders and RSS."

In an attempt to woo OBCs, Rahul said the Congress party has stood by the community for 70 years and will continue to work for their rights.

"You are India's strength. We will advance together with the Congress party," the Congress leader said.

"We will not give you just a little space. We will give you what is rightfully yours. We want to bring you to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Assembly," Gandhi said.

'Industrialists get loan waiver, farmers ignored'

Gandhi claimed Modi's government has ignored the interests of farmers but has helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

Addressing workers of the party's OBC department here, he said people who work hard behind the scene are "never benefitted" and the fruits of their toil are enjoyed by others.

"People with skills are not rewarded in India ... Farmers work hard but you don't see them in the office of Modi ji," the Congress scion was quoted as saying.

Rahul claimed that the non-performing assets of banks have gone up to Rs 1,000 crore.

"Rs 2.5 lakh crore were given to 15 industrialists. But the farmer got nothing...The loan waiver was for 15 people but not for the farmer who continues to commit suicide... His children keep crying," Gandhi said.

He also challenged the stand of the government that India lacks skills saying it was not true and the authorities have failed to recognise the fact.