NEW DELHI — Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi adopted an aggressive stance during his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 1. In his address, Gandhi raised multiple issues, from the NEET examination to matters of religion, and launched a sharp attack on the central government. He also openly challenged the Modi government regarding the upcoming assembly elections in several states.
Gandhi asserted that the INDIA alliance, which includes the Congress and other opposition parties, would secure a victory in the forthcoming Gujarat assembly elections, Vartha Bharati reported.
“You can take it in writing that the opposition INDIA alliance is going to defeat you (BJP) in Gujarat,” he declared.
Highlighting economic concerns, Gandhi criticized the government’s demonetization policy and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He claimed these measures were implemented to benefit billionaires at the expense of small industrialists. “Ask any small industrialist why demonetization was done? They will tell you that all this was done to help billionaires. I went to Gujarat and spoke to a textile owner. When I asked him why demonetization and GST were introduced, he clearly said that GST was brought to help billionaires because Narendra Modi works for billionaires,” Gandhi said.
During his remarks, a BJP member interrupted Gandhi, questioning his visits to Gujarat. This was a pointed reference to Gandhi’s defamation case in a Gujarat court, which had previously led to his two-year imprisonment sentence and temporary disqualification as an MP. Responding to the interruption, Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to Gujarat, stating, “I keep going to Gujarat and this time I will defeat you in Gujarat. You can take it in writing that the opposition INDIA alliance is going to defeat you in Gujarat.”
