In a strong defense of Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari emphasized on Monday how the Leader of Opposition never shirks his responsibilities toward Raebareli. Speaking to the media in Lucknow, Tiwari covered Gandhi’s impending visit, national security concerns, J&K terror incidents, and the MGNREGA name change controversy.
Gandhi arrives at Lucknow airport today en route to his two-day Raebareli schedule, packed with meetings with residents, workers, problem-solving sessions, and project assessments. Tiwari highlighted Gandhi’s dedication: ‘He always prioritizes his electoral area and upholds his MP obligations impeccably.’
On defense, Tiwari critiqued the government’s self-reliance rhetoric while dodging accountability on border foes. Citing Rajnath Singh’s statements, he acknowledged private sector growth in defense but accused New Delhi of sidestepping China post-Galwan and Pakistan threats. He listed a bipartisan legacy of military fortification by past PMs including Nehru, Indira, Rajiv, Rao, and Vajpayee.
Tiwari voiced deep concern over J&K, where eight soldiers suffered injuries in the first major 2024 terror face-off, with three evacuated urgently. Dismissing old demonetization-terrorism links as hollow, he noted ongoing strikes in Pahalgam. ‘Unsafe soldiers mean peril for everyone else—civilians, tourists,’ he warned, urging robust valley defenses.
Supporting Gandhi on MGNREGA, Tiwari decried the rename as BJP’s Gandhian animosity and labor rights assault. The original delivered massive employment and wages to millions of laborers, especially the landless. The overhaul, he claimed, cheats the vulnerable.
The Noida pothole fatality of a young man drew sharp rebukes from Tiwari, who pinned it on official inaction despite warnings and absent signage. ‘He screamed for his father amid pleas for aid, yet bureaucracy abandoned him,’ Tiwari said, calling for accountability in road maintenance.