Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 8 remarked that Rahul Gandhi had all of a sudden fallen silent on Adani and Ambani. However, PM Modi's recent remarks don't match the Congress leader's recent speeches.
In the past week, from his address in Jharkhand to Delhi, Rahul Gandhi did not forget to mention Adani-Ambani in his speeches.
During his speeches, Gandhi said, "Whatever PM Modi does is for billionaires. PM Modi has 22-25 friends like Adani-Ambani and whatever work he does for them only."
May 7- Jharkhand- Rahul Gandhi said, "The BJP says you are vanvasi and they will give all the forest land to Adani. He gives forest land to Adani (all) 24 hours…Whatever he does is for billionaires. He has 22-25 friends like Adani and Ambani and whatever work is being done is for them only. The land is for them, the forest is for them, the media is theirs, infrastructure is theirs, flyovers are theirs, petrol is theirs…everything is for them. Dalits, tribals, those from the backward communities used to get reservation in the public sector…now they are privatizing everything…He gives everything to (Adani)… People from the media are here…they are not yours….they are of the billionaires, they work for them…they will show Ambani’s wedding 24 hours.”
May 6- Khargone, Madhya Pradesh- "The whole public sector will disappear, and the country will be ruled by 22-25 people. Who are these people? They are the billionaires of India, and people like Adani whose eyes are on your land, forest and water. They want these things to be snatched from you and be handed over to them. And they are Narendra Modi’s special friends. Have you heard the name of Adani? The PM wants to give Adani your land, water and forest… All the airports, power stations, ports, infrastructure has been given by PM Modi to these 22-25 people. He has never waived off your loans, but he has waived off loans of 22 richest people for Rs 16 lakh crore. Imagine that Rs 16 lakh crore has been waived off for people like Adani."
May 6- Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh- Rahul Gandhi said, "The press never talks about the adivasis. It will show the marriage of Ambani, Bollywood, dancing. But when atrocities happen on adivasis, and your land is taken away, they don’t show it… Narendra Modi has waived off loans of 22 people who are billionaires. If they can give money to the rich, we can to Dalits, Backwards, Tribals and poor from general category."
May 5- Telangana- Rahul Gandhi said, "Whatever Modi has done in the last ten years was for 22 people. He waived off the loans worth lakhs and crores of people like Adani. The country’s airports, ports, infrastructure, defence industry…he handed over all that to one person."
May 4- Delhi- Rahul Gandhi said, "Has your or any relatives’ loan been waived? Loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of Adani ji and 22 billionaires have been waived. (This) is money for MGNREGA for 24 years"
Since 2015, Rahul Gandhi has named Adani-Ambani several times in his speeches. The frequent mention of the two businessman have also drawn criticism, even from within the party.
Also watch: 'Ghabra gaye kya, Modi ji?' Rahul Gandhi retorts to Adani-Ambani attack