Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Narendra Modi would go to any extent to discredit those who oppose his agenda of “transferring India’s wealth” to a few crony capitalists, arguing that agitating farmers were being defamed as they had stood up to oppose the Prime Minister’s plan to hand over agriculture to corporate entities.

Asserting that no power in India can survive the wrath of the “kisan-mazdoor”, the Congress leader said: “Farmers and labourers have understood that the BJP and Modi have only one objective. Modi works to make money for three-four capitalists. Anybody opposing this will be called a terrorist. Anybody standing against Modi is a terrorist now. If Mohan Bhagwat stands against Modi, he too will be called a terrorist. Even as the entire India opposes a decision, Modi will remain with his capitalist friends.”

Speaking to the media after meeting President Ram Nath Kovind to submit a memorandum with two crore signatures against the new farm laws, Rahul said: “Modi will construct whatever narrative is required to transfer the wealth of the country to three-four business people. He will do anything to discredit those who oppose this. He will even call them terrorists. You can offer some help to your friends but Modi works for them.”

Asked about the Prime Minister’s argument that the farm reforms would bring investments and boost agriculture, the former Congress president said: “Millions of people live off agriculture; it is the backbone of India. You can’t destroy systems in the name of reforms. Millions of farmers, agriculture workers and small traders won’t be able to feed themselves. This will generate massive pain in the country. Nobody will be spared; everybody will have to face the effects of these laws.”

Describing Modi as “an incompetent man controlled by some people”, Rahul said: “This is being done when China is at the border. He doesn’t talk about China but is weakening India from within, breaking its systems. Kisan-mazdoor ko maar raha hai (He is killing the farmers and the labourers). I am warning the country — see what is happening. The media should also see. The country is in trouble. The country is drifting on a dangerous path.”

Asked about the arrest of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders by the police that didn’t allow a march to the President’s house, and whether peaceful protests shouldn’t be allowed in a democracy, Rahul burst out: “Democracy…? Which country are you talking about? There is no democracy in India. It may be in your imagination.”

Congress office-bearers, members of Parliament and workers had assembled in large numbers at the party headquarters since morning as a march had been planned to Rashtrapati Bhavan. But the police stopped the march within yards, allowing only Rahul, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Adhir Chowdhury to proceed to Rashtrapati Bhavan in a car. As other leaders led by Priyanka sat on the road in protest, they were taken to Mandir Marg police station.

Priyanka also launched a stinging attack on the government for defaming the farmers by claiming Khalistani and Naxal links. Asked about the Prime Minister’s charge that farmers had been misled by the Opposition, she said: “It is the Opposition’s duty to give voice to the farmers’ cause. But they know what is good and what is bad for them. Nobody can mislead or instigate them. It is their movement. They wouldn’t have been sitting in this cold with their children and families if it was an Opposition ploy.”

Rahul too responded to the charge of misleading and instigation, saying: “Do you say farmers have no understanding? Have they come to the Delhi border to eat sweets? They have realised Modi is stealing their incomes.”

The memorandum submitted to the President explained the “catastrophic” consequences of the three new farm laws that have also been opposed by experts and agriculture scientists, and requested him to tell the government to withdraw them.

The memorandum also dwelt on the miseries suffered by the protesting farmers, 44 of whom have lost their lives in the biting cold. The truckloads of signatures were later sent to the agriculture ministry.

Priyanka sets 20-day task

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, has asked all office-bearers to spend at least 20 days in a month in the field, working among the people to rebuild the party organisation in the state.

Priyanka gave specific tasks to office-bearers and senior leaders as part of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan beginning on Friday.