Special Congress Party Briefing by @RahulGandhi TODAY on May 26, 2020 at 12 noon via @INCIndia Social Media/Video Conferencing.
YOU are invited & Media Coverage requested
...as Congress is a conversation with India.
LIVE:
THREAD

The @PMOIndia said we would win the war against #COVID__19 in 21 days. 60 days in, it is clear that 4 stages of the #Lockdown have not produced the results @narendramodi & his advisers have hoped as they said infections would reduce by 10th May, & they're increasing
: @RahulGandhi

@INCIndia Government's are giving cash to labourers and farmers. We need Central Government assistance.
: @RahulGandhi

#India is the only country that is exiting the #Lockdown without a strategy while #CoronaVirus infection numbers are climbing. The disease profile is shooting up in a number of states.
: @RahulGandhi

Congress Governments have a strategy. We are giving money and food to the poor, the farmers, the migrant workers and increasing testing. We need the Centre to give all States a cash injection so these plans can be actualised.
: @RahulGandhi

We must create a successful compromise between health & economics. India's facing a serious unemployment problem & it's not new. #coronavirus has multiplied this problem. So injection of money to MSMEs & poorest 50% is required & it'll be fatal if this isn't done.
: @RahulGandhi

As the matter is an ongoing one between India and China in #Ladakh, and since there is no transparency of information, I would not like to comment on it in the public domain.
: @RahulGandhi

I'd said in Feb a very dangerous situation was brewing due to the lack of #coronavirus mitigation. My stance hasn't changed, but strengthened. This isn't even the first chapter of the devastation to come without the Central Govt cash injection to MSMEs & Poorest 50%
: @RahulGandhi

Decision-makers around @narendramodi aren't giving India's MSMEs & poorest 50% of families the cash injection we require because they think it'll send a bad impression abroad. Our strength comes from within from our citizens, not from abroad.
: @RahulGandhi

It's unfortunate. People are first Indian, & then they belong to their State. It's not the Chief Minister @myogiadityanath's decision whether Indian citizens in UP should work in other States, it's the citizen's decision. People are not property of the CM or State.
: @RahulGandhi

@PMOIndia will also accept that his #lockdown strategy has failed. Instead of going on the back foot, the Opposition is requesting that he come back on the front foot as the PM should be seen as leading by the country during this #coronavirus pandemic.
: @RahulGandhi

It's not appropriate for me to rate @PMOIndia's #Lockdown Strategy out of 10 like a school teacher. Instead I'd say the battle with #COVID19 has just begun as infection is on the rise. We don't want to criticise, but ask for necessary financial support to States.
: @RahulGandhi

I am not an expert on opening up travel. However, I can see that the experts and decision-makers must avoid a haphazard opening up that'll increase infections by consulting the State Governments.
: @RahulGandhi

More connected States like Maharashtra are going to be more aggressively hit by the #coronavirus. It's struggling because of the nature of its connectivity. It's an asset as it is the financial centre so the full support of GOI must go to the MVA and Maharashtrians.

A distinction must be drawn. Congress is not a Chief Decision-maker in Maharashtra, but a supporting partner in the Maha Vikas Agadi.
: @RahulGandhi

We are grateful to the Central Government for listening to @INCIndia's #COVID19 Zoning. We are sad that our most important suggestion on critical cash injections has not yet been implemented, as without them, the Rs. 20 lakh Crore package is designed to fail.
: @RahulGandhi

It is not drama when I consult migrant workers and farmers while maintaining social distancing. I find their inputs and understanding their struggles and circumstances an education. They're our strength and our future. If we don't help them, who is more deserving?
: @RahulGandhi

I thank Finance Minister @nsitharaman for voicing her opinions on my conversations with migrant workers. I do help them directly whenever I have the opportunity. I ask her permission to go to Uttar Pradesh so that I can help the migrant labourers walking back.
: @RahulGandhi

The main thrust of this press conference is that, 60 days in, the #coronavirus infections are rising in #India and that the aims of the #lockdown have been defeated. We seek Central Gov clarity on economic measures like direct cash injections to MSMEs & poorest 50%
: @RahulGandhi

Gujarat's health system's floundering but it's illogical for @INCIndia Opposition to seek President's Rule. That'll replace @BJP4Gujarat Gov with @BJP4India Gov. @INCGujarat's fighting well, holding @vijayrupanibjp to account & will see results in the next election.
: @RahulGandhi

Similarly, if there is MVA Gov in Maharashtra, then @BJP4Maharashtra must do its duty & act as a constructive, questioning Opposition. Categorically, BJP overthrowing the Democratic Structure for #PresidentsRule/Emergency is not being a Constructive Opposition.
: @RahulGandhi

If the @BJP4India Opposition want to question & make recommendations to the @INCIndia Govs of Rajasthan, Punjab, Chattisgarh & Jharkhand, we are receptive to taking them on board, not to their illogical leap of demanding #PresidentsRule/State Emergency.
: @RahulGandhi

-End of my quick Notes from Rahul Gandhi's Congress Press Briefing-

AICC's Press Conference led by @RahulGandhi on India's #FailedLockdown & urgent need for economic NYAY, was moderated by @RSSurjewala & @pranavINC, & attended by @INCIndia GS for Organisation @kcvenugopalmp.