New Delhi:
Six months after the Modi government cashed in on its election slogan 'Abki baar, Modi sarkaar', Delhi today echoed with a slightly tweaked version- 'Abki baar, humaara adhikaar' - as hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar.
The massive rally was organised to seek clarity on the government's policies and status of welfare schemes in the light of apprehension that some of these may encounter budget cuts or maybe diluted.
There are questions over whether budget cuts will impact popular welfare schemes like the UPA's flagship rural employment guarantee programme. A committee is in place to have a re-look at laws governing environmental clearances. This has worried environmentalists on whether these laws could be diluted. There are similar concerns over the proposed amendments to the land acquisition legislation as well.
Well-known economist and activist Jean Dreze said, "People are here because they want clarity. This government is silent at best or speaking in multiple voices leading to confusion. The same BJP that last year supported the food security bill, now wants changes to it. We want to know its stand on these important issues."
It's this uncertainty that has united Ramesh Jat, a MNREGA worker from Rajasthan, and Asha Devi, a beneficiary of the food security scheme in Bihar. While Asha left her youngest child back home in Araria in Bihar to travel to the capital, Ramesh spent money from his own pocket to hire transport that would bring him here.
He hasn't received wages due to him under the rural employment guarantee scheme for the last 12 months. "Every time we ask for our money, there is always some excuse ready," he says, somewhat exasperated.
This is the first time since the Modi government came to power in May this year that a large scale rally has made its presence felt in the heart of the capital even uniting different parties of the opposition.