Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the government alleging that two Indias, one for the rich and one for the poor, have been created and the gap between them was widening.

Speaking first on behalf of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address on Wednesday, he said the address to a joint sitting of Parliament didn't touch the central challenges facing the country and was a "list of bureaucratic ideas" instead of a strategic vision.

The presidential address made no mention of unemployment, the Congress leader claimed.

“There are two Indias - one for the rich, one for the poor - and the gap between the two was widening,” Rahul alleged and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to start working towards bringing the two Indias, created by this government, together.

He claimed that 40 per cent of India's wealth has gone to a chosen few. “Today, the earnings of 84 per cent of Indians have dwindled, pushing them towards poverty,” Rahul said.

There are two Indias -- one for the rich, one for the poor -- and the gap between the two was widening

Rahul Gandhi

“'Make in India' cannot happen as the unorganised sector has been completely destroyed,” he alleged.

"You keep talking about Made in India, Made in India. Made in India is not possible anymore. You have destroyed 'Made in India'. You need to support small and medium industries, otherwise 'Made in India' is not possible. Small and medium industries are the only ones who can create jobs," Rahul said.

Today, the earnings of 84 per cent of Indians have dwindled, pushing them towards poverty

“For my friends in the government, the spirit with which I speak is of discomfort, the spirit is not of criticism. Take it from a citizen of the country who is concerned about the situation. The gap between the two Indias is growing. You (President) didn't speak about what happened in Bihar. There was not a single sentence about unemployment in the President's address. India's youth is asking for employment but your government couldn't give jobs. Three crore youth lost employment in 2021. Highest unemployment in 50 years,” he added.

On India's 'blunder' on Jammu & Kashmir, he said, "I am very worried about my country standing where it's standing. You're putting this nation and its people at huge risk. You (the government) have brought China and Pakistan together. We have made huge strategic mistakes in Jammu and Kashmir."

"How much employment is given, you don't speak about that because if you do people of the country will think you are joking. Most of our jobs are in the informal sector. You gave money from that sector to India's richest. You attacked the informal sector. How? Through demonetisation, wrong GST, no help during Covid. 84% of the population's income has decreased. In the UPA government, 23 crores were lifted out of poverty," he said.

You keep talking about Made in India, Made in India. Made in India is not possible anymore. You have destroyed 'Made in India' How much employment is given, you don't speak about that because if you do people of the country will think you are joking These are not our stats. These are true stats. You have put 23 crore people back into poverty

"These are not our stats. These are true stats. You have put 23 crore people back into poverty. Monopolies are being formed in the formal sector. One person was given, I won't name, all of India's ports, airports, mining, gas distribution, whatever there is. Adani can be seen there. On the other side, there is Ambani ji. All of the money is going to a chosen few," he said.

"Do not think this India will stay quiet. This poor India can see India's richest 100 have more wealth than 55 crore people," he added.

Do not think this India will stay quiet. This poor India can see India's richest 100 have more wealth than 55 crore people

"Start uniting these two Indias as soon as possible. You are giving everything to a few people who put you on TV and WhatsApp. If you read the Constitution, you'll find that India is described as a union of states. It is not described as a nation. That means that brothers from Tamil Nadu have the same rights as my brother from Maharasthra, J&K, Manipur, and Lakhshadweep," he said.

"It is a negotiation, it is a conversation, it is a partnership, not a kingdom. You'll never ever rule over the people of Tamil Nadu. No matter what fantasies you might have. It (ruling Indian states) has never been done in 3,000 years. Look at any empire you want. India has always been ruled by conversation. You have no idea of history, you have no idea what you are dealing with," he elaborated.

If you read the Constitution, you'll find that India is described as a union of states. It is not described as a nation. That means that brothers from Tamil Nadu have the same rights as my brother from Maharasthra, J&K, Manipur, and Lakhshadweep

"The people of Kerala have a culture, they have dignity, they have a history. The people of Rajasthan have a culture, they have dignity, they have a history, they have a way of life. This is like a bouquet of flowers. I learn from all the people. I learn from you. There is another vision that India can be ruled by a stick from the Centre. Every time that has happened, the stick has been broken," Rahul said.