13:00 May 26
The Congress leader ended his press briefing with several questions for the Centre:
"The aim of the lockdown has miserably failed, we need the government to answer our questions," he said.
12:59 May 26
Maharashtra wants Presidential rules. The COVID-19 situation is same in Gujarat. Why is the opposition weak in Gujarat? Why is it not putting forward any demand?
Rahul Gandhi:It is not a constructive opposition that wants to rip off democracy and impose president rule in the state. The opposition can only make suggestions for the state's development.
12:53 May 26
FM Nirmala Sitharaman called yout meeting with migrants 'dramebaazi'. What do you have to say?
Rahul Gandhi:I meet with the migrants because I wish to connect with them and understand their situation. If the migrants permit , I am ready to help them with their baggage too. People in India should understand and hear the migrants' woes out. These people are a part of our country. Who will support them if not us?
So, if the FM wants, I will got to Uttar Pradesh and help as many migrants on teh way as I Can.
12:49 May 26
What do you have to say bout the rapid spread of infection in Maharashtra, with Mumbai accounting for half of the infections?
Rahul Gandhi:Maharashtra is the most connected states in India. It is struggling because of its connectivity. It is the center of business in India. It is fighting a difficult battle and it needs the government's support.
We are in the opposition. We can give suggestions. It is the government's decision to accept them or not. It might have accepted our suggestions in the past but it still needs to start cash flow and support small and businesses so that the country could survive post-pandemic days.
12:48 May 26
What is a safe mobility plan?
Rahul Gandhi:I am not an expert and I cannot explain that. But there are high level things that need to be looked into. Everything need to be started in a gradual manner. The economy too, needs restarting.
The opening of lockdown in a haphazard manner will result in a second wave and it will be.
12:36 May 26
Has the lockdown helped in controlling Infection?
Rahul Gandhi:The lockdown, being the government's first strategy has drastically failed. The government as of now, need to present its future strategy before the people.
I think even the PM will accept his failure. But he should inform us what are his plans for improvement are.
He has low-key established his position on the backfoot and is not appearing before public. I am asking him to come to the front foot and act aggressively.
12:34 May 26
Your stance on CM Yogi's statement that other states will have to take his permission for employing migrants from Uttar Pradesh?
Rahul Gandhi:It is unfortunate for the UP CM to say that. These people(migrant workers) are not his property. It is an absurd thing to say because nobody can own a person, be it a migrant worker.
12:29 May 26
How has the government delivered on ground?
Migrant workers have a sense of hopelessness. They have a sense that they have been left alone. A lot of them said, "Bharosa Hamara Toot Gaya."
I don't like any Indian saying those words. The government should not break anybody';s trust. But, the government can still handle the situation if it wants to.
12:24 May 26
Sitution at the borders seems to be critical but nobody has any picture. Shouldn't the government inform us about these matters?
Rahul Gandhi: Government should transparently provide information about what is happening at the border areas and where does India stand on the issue. It is a security concern and the government should inform the people about whatever is happening.
We cannot understand the position of India without government intervention. But we definitely need to know the details.
12:19 May 26
India had been facing unemployment even before the lockdown. Has India made a mistake of prioritizing health over economy?
Rahul Gandhi: We are smart and intelligent enough to establish a successful compromise between the two. India has been facing the employment problem and this is not new. Make in India and such programs have not resulted well.
We were already struggling and COVID-19 and lockdown has contributed to it. That is why, injection of money into small and medium businesses is required.
12:18 May 26
How did the government fail in handling migrants?
Rahul Gandhi:Details of what happened and what was not done are in the past. I am interested in the present that is a failed lockdown. We are coming to the end of the fourth lockdown. But the disease profile has not come down.
We are clear about what we have to do in our states. We have a strategy. But state governments cannot function without the Centre's support. States are fighting a lonely battle. An injection of money is required in an aggressive manner but that has not been done.
12:04 May 26
New Delhi:"Friends, 2 months ago, the PM said we need to fight a 21 day war against COVID-19. It was his expectation. We are on 60 day and the virus is exponentially rising. And the lockdown has been eased. The purpose of lockdown has failed. We want to understand what the government's view is. 4 round lockdown has not resulted into anything," said Congress leader in his opening statement during a Congress Party media briefing held via video conferencing on Tuesday.
"Now that we have a failed lockdown, what is the government's strategy?" he further questioned the Centre.