Rahul's 'Sholay' jibe at BJP in Gujarat: GST is 'Gabbar Singh Tax'
Rahul Gandhi
He was drawing a reference to the notorious silver screen bandit Gabbar Singh from the 1975 film 'Sholay', implying that the government was extorting money from the people in the name of high tax rates
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi criticised the ruling BJP government for its policies of alleged industrial appeasement in the state and for failing to bring about all-round development.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that for the last 22 years, the government was not a government of the people but of "5-10 industrialists".
"Every section of Gujarat's society is part of a movementbecause, since the last 22 years, the government was not of people but of 5-10 industrialists," he said.
"Put the budget of the entire country and the money of the entire world, the people of Gujarat cannot be silenced," he added.
Hesaid that the BJP-ruled Gujarat government gave Rs 30-35,000 croreto one company (Tatas) for manufacturing Nano cars in the state, and could have instead used the money for waiving off farmer loans.
"For making Nanos, Rs 30-35,000 crore was given to one company (Tatas), in that amount Gujarat's farmers' loans could have been waived but you did not listen to their voice," Rahul Gandhi said.
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The Congress vice-president also took potshots at the Goods and Services Tax which was rolled out in July, stating that its full form was the "Gabbar Singh Tax".
"Their GST is not GST, it is Gabbar Singh Tax," Rahul Gandhi said.
He was drawing a reference to the notorious silver screen bandit Gabbar Singh from the 1975 film "Sholay", implying that the government was extorting money from the people in the name of high tax rates.
He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Mann Ki Baat" programme and said that while PM Modi conveyed his "Mann Ki Baat" ( heart felt talk) to the people, he would like to convey the "Mann Ki Baat"of the people of Gujarat.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that through its industrial policies, the BJP government was generating employment for Chinese youth rather for the people of the state.
"When you click a selfie and click that button, every time a Chinese youth gets employment," the Congress vice-president said.
The Congress vice-president also took a dig at prime minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
"The prime minister said I don't like Rs 500-1000 notes, so I'm discontinuing them (laughs)".
PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. He has visited the poll-bound state thrice in the last one month and inaugurated several projects in the state.