Rahul Gandhi confident that Congress will secure around 150 seats in Madhya Pradesh

File Photo/PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of orchestrating the downfall of the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh in 2020 through the purchase of MLAs. Speaking at an election rally in Vidisha ahead of the upcoming assembly elections on November 17, Gandhi expressed confidence that the Congress would secure around 150 seats.

Gandhi claimed that the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, manipulated the political landscape by purchasing MLAs, ultimately resulting in the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government, news agency PTI reported. He emphasized that the Congress, if elected, would focus on the welfare of farmers, laborers, small traders, and unemployed individuals.

Highlighting the achievements of the Congress in states like Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, Gandhi stated that the party had prioritized people's welfare. He criticized the BJP's governance in Karnataka and urged the return of funds taken from the poor during its tenure.

Gandhi pointed to the Congress-led states' initiatives, such as providing LPG cylinders at a lower cost in Karnataka and Chhattisgarh compared to other states. He emphasized the fulfillment of promises, including farm loan waivers and free bus travel for women in Karnataka.

In Chhattisgarh, Gandhi highlighted the implementation of the guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the payment of Rs 10,000 as wages to laborers, contributing to the strengthening of the local economy. The Congress leader projected a positive outcome for the party in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.

In Pics: Cong, BJP leaders address public meeting in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said the Centre will launch a scheme worth Rs 24,000 crore for the welfare of tribals in the country on Wednesday when the entire nation will celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth anniversary.

Addressing a public meeting in Betul district, Modi noted the presence of a large number of people on the last day of his campaign for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections scheduled on November 17, and said it is an indication that the BJP's victory is assured in these polls.

Modi said he has seen ¿unprecedented trust and affection¿ for BJP among the people of Madhya Pradesh, and added that the Congress has accepted defeat ahead of elections.

"Tomorrow is Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, I will go to Jharkhand to pay respect to (tribal icon) Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The entire country will celebrate Bhagwan Birsa Munda's jayanti and the Centre will announce a scheme worth Rs 24,000 crore for the welfare of tribals," the PM said.

He said the Congress accepted defeat and is now turning to seers for reviving its fortunes in the last phase of poll campaigning. "The Congress knows that its fake promises won't work in front of Modi's guarantees," the PM said.