Rahul: Cong will increase representation of OBCs

New Delhi: In an attempt to woo other backward classes (OBC) to get a major share of their votes in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that his party has decided to increase the representation of people from OBCs and give them a chance to become MLAs and MPs.

"The Congress party has decided to soon increase the representation of OBCs in the party and also give them a chance to become MLAs and MPs. At present, there are two (OBC) chief ministers of Congress. In future, you will see more people from this community in the Congress," the Congress president said while addressing a national convention of AICC OBC department in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Notably, in the first convention of the OBC department of the Congress party held in June 2018, Rahul Gandhi had promised greater representation to the OBCs in the party and the Parliament. The Congress chief also promised that if voted to power, the party will allow the youth to start their own venture without taking prior permission from the departments concerned.

"Lakhs of youth seek financial help to start a business but fail to get it, which is not acceptable. We believe everyone should get 'NYAY'. So if voted to power, we will allow the youth across the country to start their own business without taking any permission from the government. They could run their business without any hassle for their initial three years," he said, adding, "In our manifesto, we have written that Congress will provide funds to young entrepreneurs belonging to the OBC category for starting their business."

On the occasion, Rahul also launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the PM is afraid of Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) – a poverty alleviation scheme announced by Congress on Monday.

"Have you seen PM Modi's face today? There is nervousness; there is fear on his face. He has sensed that time has come to leave the office," Rahul said, adding that if Modi government can do injustice then Congress can deliver NYAY.

"Promise of giving 15 lakh to every citizen cannot be fulfilled but Congress can give Rs 72,000 annually to the 20 per cent poorest families," Gandhi said.