Cong appeals to voters in Rajasthan to exercise franchise, Rahul says vote for ‘govt of guarantees’

PTI, Nov 25, 2023, 11:17 AM IST

The Congress on Saturday appealed to voters in Rajasthan to exercise their franchise and elect its ”government of guarantees” and one that works for the benefit of the people.

Polling began Saturday morning for the 199 assembly seats in Rajasthan where the BJP is going all out to wrest power from the Congress which hopes to beat the state’s anti-incumbency tradition.

In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, ”Savings, relief, growth and dreams flying high, people benefiting from welfare schemes…will choose only Rajasthan!” The aware people of Rajasthan know that their valuable vote is the guarantee of their happiness, he said.

The people of Rajasthan, the land of great heroes and symbol of social unity, are requested to exercise their franchise, he said.

”Make sure that there are no obstacles in your improving life. It is an appeal to young friends and first-time voters to cast their vote. Choose social security, choose economic empowerment, choose only the guarantee of prosperity and development,” Kharge said.

In a post on X, former Congres president Rahul Gandhi said, ”Rajasthan will choose free treatment. Rajasthan will choose cheaper gas cylinder. Rajasthan will choose interest-free agricultural loan. Rajasthan will choose English education. Rajasthan will choose OPS. Rajasthan will choose caste census.” ”Today, go out in large numbers and exercise your franchise. Elect a Congress government of guarantees and one that is beneficial to the people,” the he said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also urged the people of Rajasthan to cast their ballot.

”Your every vote, for a beautiful future, for rights, for Congress’ guarantee,” she said.

Priyanka Gandhi also listed the promises of the Congress such as free treatment of up to Rs 50 lakh, Rs 10 thousand annually to female head of family, gas cylinder for Rs 400, legal guarantee of old pension, 10 lakh new jobs, right to housing, buying cow dung at Rs 2 per kg, MSP to farmers, loan of Rs 2 lakh without interest, laptop for college students, free education even in private schools and caste census.

Congress general secretary organization K C Venugopal appealed to the voters of Rajasthan to come out in record numbers and vote for a progressive, prosperous and inclusive Rajasthan.

”You have seen 5 years of exemplary governance, with welfare programmes that have changed the face of Rajasthan and given a safe and secure environment for everyone. The Chiranjeevi Scheme, mobile phones to women, Indira Rasoi and many such pro-poor schemes have made a meaningful impact,” he said in a post on X.

”You also remember a dark period of the BJP’s misrule and corruption, where day to day life was tough and their leaders were busy pitting one community against the other and looting the state’s coffers,” he said.

”When we return to power, we will fulfil the 7 Guarantees made during the campaign. We did it in Karnataka, we will do it in Rajasthan as well!” Venugopal said.

The time has now come to break this cycle of interrupting a people-centric government with that of the BJP -and vote for 5 more years of Congress, he added.

While the ruling Congress is hoping that it will retain its government in Rajasthan, opposition BJP is eyeing a return in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.