Puducherry polls: Rahul Gandhi promises full statehood for UT if Congress wins

New Delhi: Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Monday vowed to get full statehood if the party in Puducherry comes to power. “We are committed to giving full statehood to Puducherry,” he said while addressing an election rally in Rauspet.Rahul Gandhi claimed that the current Union Territory government does not reflect the will of the people but was imposed by Delhi. He accused the BJP of sidelining regional leaders and running the United Emirates from a distance.“Everyone knows that 30 per cent commission is charged on all contracts. The government here has become a tax collection agent. The government in Puducherry is not a representative of the people but is imposed from Delhi; the BJP runs the state through ‘remote control’,” he said.Highlighting the Congress’s commitment to UT, he added, “What will the Congress alliance government do for Puducherry? We will provide monthly support of Rs 2,000 to unemployed youth, create 30,000 new jobs in public and private sectors, women will travel in Puducherry buses for free. We will relax the threshold for entry into government jobs till the age of 40 years. Every family in Puducherry will get medical insurance of Rs 20 lakh which they can use.”Rahul Gandhi urged voters to support the Congress party and its alliance candidates and pledged to form a government that truly represents the voice of the people on the ground.“Whenever I come, wherever I go, you show me great care,” he told the public.The Puducherry Assembly elections for 30 seats will be held with single-phase voting on April 9 and counting of votes on May 4.