Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday emphasised the need to identify and remove party workers and leaders who are allegedly working for the BJP.

Addressing party workers on the second day of his two-day visit to Gujarat, Gandhi stressed that the Congress must fulfill its responsibilities to regain the trust of the people in the state.

Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that the people of Gujarat are demanding a new vision, as the one presented by the BJP over the past three decades has failed. “The people of Gujarat are screaming for a new vision because the vision they were shown during more than three decades of BJP rule has failed,” he said.

Gandhi acknowledged that the Congress has been unable to provide a clear direction to the state. “Gujarat cannot see the way ahead, and the Congress is unable to show it the way,” he admitted. He attributed this failure to the presence of two types of individuals within the Gujarat Congress: those genuinely committed to the party’s ideology and those disconnected from the people.

“There are two types of people in the Gujarat Congress leadership and workers. Those who are honest with the people, fight for them, respect them, and have the ideology of the Congress in their hearts. And the others who are cut off from the people, sit far away, do not respect them, and half of whom are with the BJP,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi’s remarks underscored the need for an internal clean-up within the party to weed out elements that are not aligned with the Congress’s values and objectives. He urged party workers to reconnect with the people and work towards addressing their concerns.

The Congress leader’s visit to Gujarat is part of the party’s efforts to rebuild its presence in the state, which has been a BJP stronghold for decades. Gandhi’s call for introspection and accountability reflects the party’s recognition of the challenges it faces in regaining political relevance in Gujarat.

As the Congress prepares for upcoming elections, Gandhi’s message highlights the importance of unity, integrity, and a renewed commitment to the party’s core principles. The success of these efforts will determine whether the Congress can effectively challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Saturday that the Delhi cabinet has approved a new government scheme to provide ₹2,500 per month to women from economically disadvantaged families. A budgetary allocation of ₹5,100 crore has been earmarked for the initiative, termed the “Mahila Samriddhi Yojana.”

The scheme, which was a key promise in the BJP’s election manifesto, aims to empower women by offering them financial assistance. However, the Chief Minister did not specify the eligibility criteria or the total number of beneficiaries who would benefit from the program.

Gupta revealed that a dedicated portal will be launched soon for the registration of beneficiaries under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana. “The portal will be launched for registration under Mahila Samriddhi Yojana,” she said, adding that the scheme’s implementation will be closely monitored by the Chief Minister’s Office.

The announcement fulfills a major promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Delhi Assembly election campaign. Modi had assured that the scheme would be passed in the first cabinet meeting of the BJP government and described it as “Modi ki guarantee.” He had also pledged that women would start receiving the financial aid by March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day.

The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is part of the BJP’s broader commitment to women’s empowerment and financial independence. The scheme is expected to provide much-needed support to women from low-income families, enabling them to meet their daily needs and improve their quality of life.

The announcement comes as the BJP seeks to consolidate its position in Delhi after a decisive victory in the recent Assembly elections. The party’s manifesto had outlined several welfare initiatives, with the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana being one of the flagship programs aimed at addressing economic disparities and supporting women’s development.

As the scheme rolls out, the focus will now shift to its implementation and the identification of beneficiaries. The Delhi government’s ability to effectively execute the program will be closely watched, with expectations high for tangible improvements in the lives of women across the capital.

The women’s wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to grant immunity from punishment to women who commit one murder, citing the rising atrocities against women and the failure of law enforcement to protect them.

In a letter written on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Rohini Khadse, president of the NCP (SP) women’s wing, emphasized the need to address the oppressive mentality, rapist mindset, and ineffective law and order situation that women face.

Rising Crimes Against Women
Khadse highlighted the alarming rise in crimes against women, pointing to the recent gangrape of a 12-year-old girl in Mumbai as a stark example. She stated that women are demanding the right to protect themselves in the face of systemic failures.

“We, on behalf of all women, are demanding immunity (from punishment) to commit one murder,” Khadse wrote in the letter, which also targeted the state government over its handling of law and order.

Survey Highlights Unsafe Environment
The letter cited a survey report that labeled India as the most unsafe country for women, with crimes such as kidnapping, domestic violence, and sexual assault on the rise. Khadse argued that the current legal framework is insufficient to safeguard women’s rights and safety.

“We hope our demand will be granted after giving it serious thought,” Khadse added, urging the President to consider the plea as a measure to empower women and address the systemic issues they face.

A Call for Empowerment and Justice
The demand for immunity reflects the growing frustration among women over the lack of effective measures to combat gender-based violence. Khadse’s letter underscores the need for stronger legal protections and a more proactive approach to ensuring women’s safety.

The NCP (SP) women’s wing’s appeal has sparked a debate on the balance between justice and self-defense, with many calling for a comprehensive review of laws and policies to better protect women.

As the letter reaches the President’s office, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this bold demand for women’s empowerment and justice.