• Thursday, March 28, 2024

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WATCH: Rahul Gandhi campaigns on bus, scooter for Karnataka elections

(Top) Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi travels in a bus as part of the election campaign ahead of the Karnataka Assembly Polls, in Bengaluru, on Monday, May 8, 2023, and (above) Gandhi rides pillion with a gig worker, in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (ANI Photos)

By: Shubham Ghosh

Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi boarded a state-run bus in Bengaluru, the capital of the poll-bound southern Indian state of Karnataka, on Monday (8), and interacted with its women passengers ahead of the elections on Wednesday (10).

The former parliamentarian spoke to the passengers to understand their vision for the state which is currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mint cited sources in the Congress to report that the 52-year-old leader discussed with the common men about rising prices of essential goods, the party’s guarantee of free travel for women in the state-run BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) and KSRTC (Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation) buses.

He also spoke about the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which the Congress has promised ahead of the polls and it says Rs 2,000 (£19.34) of cash assistance will be given to the woman head of every family in the state if it is voted to power.

On Sunday (7), too, Gandhi had talks with gig workers and delivery partners of app-based delivery services in the information technology capital of India.

They spoke about the lives of delivery workers, the lack of stable employment and the rising prices of basic commodities.

He also took a pillion ride with a delivery agent in his scooter, chatting with him during the journey.

The Congress, which is eyeing a return to power in Karnataka after four years, has made specific promises in its manifesto, including setting up a gig workers’ welfare board and ensuring minimum hourly wages for gig and other workers in the unorganised sector.

The campaigning for the elections in Karnataka concludes on Monday. The results will be declared on Saturday (13).

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