Lucknow, January 19. Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari showered praise on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his parliamentary constituency during his upcoming Raebareli visit. Tiwari addressed key national issues including defense policies, recent terror clashes in Jammu and Kashmir, and the controversial renaming of the MGNREGA scheme.
Rahul Gandhi is set to land at Lucknow airport today before heading to Raebareli for a two-day tour. He will engage with locals and party workers, listen to their grievances, and review ongoing development projects. ‘Rahul Gandhi consistently makes time for his constituency and diligently performs his duties as an MP,’ Tiwari told reporters.
Shifting to defense matters, Tiwari referenced Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s push for a self-reliant defense sector. He noted the shift from public sector dominance to increased private participation but slammed the government for avoiding direct mentions of China and Pakistan amid ongoing threats. ‘China was responsible for the Galwan clash, yet the government speaks in vague terms about challenges,’ he said.
Tiwari recalled how leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee all strengthened India’s armed forces. Expressing alarm over Jammu and Kashmir security, he pointed to the year’s first major terror encounter where eight Indian soldiers were injured, three airlifted by helicopter. ‘This is deeply shameful,’ he stated, criticizing past claims that demonetization would end terrorism, even as attacks persist in areas like Pahalgam.
‘If soldiers aren’t safe, how can civilians and tourists be?’ Tiwari questioned, demanding bolstered security in the Kashmir valley. On MGNREGA’s rebranding, he backed Rahul Gandhi’s stance, accusing the BJP of eroding workers’ rights and harboring an anti-Gandhi bias. The scheme previously guaranteed work and wages, benefiting millions through substantial investments. The new version, he argued, betrays landless laborers and the needy.
Tiwari also condemned the tragic death of a 27-year-old in Noida after falling into a pothole, blaming government and authority negligence. Despite prior complaints and missing road signs, no action was taken. ‘The young man cried for help, calling his father, but the system failed him,’ he lamented, underscoring systemic failures in infrastructure safety.