Khata khat, khata khat, khata khat, khata khat — the sonority of currency dropping in the pockets.

This is Rahul Gandhi’s guarantee to every poor family should the INDIA bloc come to power.

Foregrounding everyday issues to counter the divisive agenda being peddled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and promising a dole to lift people out of poverty, the Congress leader told a joint rally with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav: “Narendra Modiji works for 22 businessmen of this country. He waived off loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of these corporates. I want to ask you people how much of your loan Modiji has waived off?”

“Nothing,” the crowd in Kannauj, from where Akhilesh is contesting, thundered. Rahul went on: “These 22 businessmen have as much wealth as 70 crore Indians. And this is the handiwork of Narendra Modiji.”

“We will make a list of all the poor families and one woman from each family will be selected. We will deposit Rs 1 lakh annually in her account, which is about Rs 8,500 every month. Khata khat, khata khat, khata khat, khata khat — on the first day of every month and their lives will change. We will make crores of people lakhpatis. This money will be given to them till they come out of the Below Poverty Line category,” he said. “Tabtak paisa milta jaega, milta jaega, milta jaega, milta jaega (Till then they will keep receiving the money).”

Rahul predicted a “cyclone of INDIA coming to Uttar Pradesh”.

“The BJP’s worst defeat would be registered here in this election. This is because Uttar Pradesh shows the way to the country and it has made up its mind to bring about a change here and in the country. The people have taken the decision,” he said.

“Modi and Amit Shah will try to divert your attention in the next 10-15 days. But you have to remain focused. There is only one issue in the election of Hindustan from which emerges all other issues,” Rahul said.

Holding up a copy of the Constitution, he said: “This is the Constitution of India. This book gives rights to the poor, backwards, Dalits, tribals, farmers, labourers and small traders of this country. Be it your power to vote or to receive reservation benefits — it is all because of this book. This book is a gift to us from Gandhiji and Ambedkar. But the BJP has decided to cancel the Constitution if it wins again.”

Rahul said Modi’s government had rendered crores of youths jobless during the pandemic but the Prime Minister and the BJP were “collecting funds in the form of electoral bonds from several companies, including one which made a Covid vaccine”.

Thumping the lectern, the Congress leader said: “We are doing our work for the last two years. I took out the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Nyay Yatra. The INDIA bloc also worked around us. Now you take this guarantee from me: Narendra Modi Hindustan ka pradhan mantri nahin banega, baat khatam ho gai hai. Narendra Modi Hindustan ka pradhan mantri nahi banne wala hai (Narendra Modi will not be Prime Minister, it is over for him. Narendra Modi will not become Prime Minister).”