Nashik, Sep 2 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday met senior Maharashtra party leaders in Nashik and discussed a whole range of issues, including alleged corruption in Kumbh Mela works and other infrastructure projects, the ‘commission raj’, as well as protests by tribal students and other communities.
In addition, the ongoing SIR exercise and the exclusion of 2.07 crore voters in the draft list published on August 31 also came up for discussion.
Gandhi was in Nashik on the final day of the Congress’s 10-day study workshop under its Sangathan Srujan Abhiyan, where he addressed district presidents of the party. After arriving in Nashik, Gandhi held a meeting with senior state Congress leaders.
Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said Gandhi sought details about alleged corruption in preparations for the Kumbh Mela and infrastructure projects, including the proposed Shaktipeeth Highway.
During his over three-hour interactive session with the district presidents, Gandhi asked them to focus on four major elements, including women, youth, farmers and middle class during the strengthening of the party organisation ahead of next Assembly and Lok Sabha polls slated for 2029.
He told them that they can do wonders for the party and play a major role in poll victories. Gandhi also interacted with their family members. He also asked the district presidents to work hard, sticking to party ideology, especially while taking on the BJP and RSS.
He claimed that high GDP figures do not translate into adequate job creation, inflation relief, or rising real wages for the public.
Amid ongoing protests by tribal students, Gandhi met their representatives and assured them of the party’s support.
Sonu Gaikwad, who was part of the delegation, said Gandhi assured them of the party’s support for their demands.
Meanwhile, BJP women leaders staged a protest in Nashik against Gandhi, accusing him of opposing the women’s reservation legislation.
BJP MLA Devyani Farande, Nashik Mayor Himgauri Aher Adake and other women activists participated in the demonstration, with some raising “Go back Rahul Gandhi” slogans. Farande questioned why the Congress was opposing the women’s reservation legislation and said Gandhi and his party should support greater representation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.
Aher Adake also criticised Gandhi over his alleged opposition to the Nari Shakti Vandan legislation, saying the measure was aimed at increasing women’s representation in elected bodies.
–IANS
sj/uk
