New Delhi, May 13: Amid the ongoing fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced on Monday a financial assistance program of Rs 1 lakh for women from poor households. In a video message, Gandhi emphasized the significant contributions made by women throughout India’s history and highlighted the current challenges they face due to severe inflation.
“Hello, my dear sisters. Women have made a huge contribution, from the freedom struggle to the creation of modern India. However, today, our women are facing a crisis amid severe inflation. To do justice to their hard work and penance, Congress has come up with a revolutionary step. Under Congress’s ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, we will give Rs 1 lakh every year to a woman from a poor family,” Sonia Gandhi stated.
She pointed out that similar guarantees had already transformed the lives of millions of families in Karnataka and Telangana. “Be it MNREGA, Right to Information, Right to Education, or Food Security, the Congress Party has empowered millions of Indians through our schemes. Mahalakshmi is the newest guarantee to take our work forward. In this difficult time, I want to assure you that the hand of Congress is with you and this hand will change your situation,” she assured.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not accepting Rahul Gandhi’s invitation to debate. “Day 2 of @RahulGandhi’s letter accepting an invitation to debate the Prime Minister. The 56-inch chest has not yet mustered the courage to accept the invite,” Ramesh posted on X on Monday.
The ongoing polling for the fourth phase covers 96 constituencies across nine states and one Union Territory. As of 9 am, the total voter turnout was recorded at 10.35 percent. This phase also includes polling for all 175 seats of the State Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh and 28 seats of the State Legislative Assembly of Odisha.
The fourth phase witnesses key contests in various constituencies, involving leaders such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC leader Mahua Moitra, BJP leader Giriraj Singh, JDU’s Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), TMC leaders Shatrughan Sinha and Yusuf Pathan.
Furthermore, BJP leaders Arjun Munda and Madhavi Latha and Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief YS Sharmila are also vying for electoral success in this phase.
Till phase 3 of the Lok Sabha polls, polling has concluded smoothly and peacefully in 283 Lok Sabha seats.
