On a bright Wednesday morning in Lucknow, just a day after the Lok Sabha election results were announced, Muslim women in big numbers assembled outside the Congress office. Their purpose was clear and pressing—they were there to claim the 8,500-rupee monthly stipend that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had promised during his Lok Sabha election campaign.What was Rahul Gandhis election promiseDuring the recent Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party made a promise to women, particularly those from SC, ST, and backward categories. They assured a monthly stipend of 8,500 rupees, a pledge that resonated deeply with many voters. The Congress-led INDI alliance performed commendably and secured 232 seats out of 542, with the Samajwadi Party, a key ally, winning 37 out of 80 Parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh.Gathering outside Congress officeThe women who gathered outside the Congress office were there with a sense of urgency and expectation. They were ready to present their guarantee cards—documents they believed would secure the financial support promised to them. This gathering highlighted the anticipation and hope that had been instilled in them by the Congresss pre-election promises.Watch the video here:Lucknow, UP: Several Muslim women gathered outside the Congress office this morning at 8 : 00 AM. They had gathered to demand the fulfillment of Rahul Gandhis pre-election announcement to provide women with a monthly stipend of 8,500 rupees.We came here because we were… pic.twitter.com/MkMUB0zcZK— IANS (@ians_india) June 5, 2024Details of promised stipendThe Congress partys manifesto included several revolutionary steps aimed at improving the lives of women from marginalized communities. One of the key promises was the annual transfer of 1 lakh rupees into the accounts of women belonging to SC, ST, and backward categories. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to provide financial stability and empowerment to these groups.What is Ghar Ghar Guarantee schemeCentral to these promises was the Ghar Ghar Guarantee scheme. Under this initiative, Congress leaders were tasked with reaching out to approximately 80 million households to inform them about 25 specific guarantees. One of the most significant of these was the Mahalakshmi scheme, which proposed depositing 8,500 rupees per month directly into the bank accounts of female heads of families living below the poverty line.This scheme mirrored the Congress-led Karnataka governments Griha Lakshmi Guarantee Yojana, which provides 2,000 rupees per month to female heads of poor families. By significantly increasing the monthly amount, the Mahalakshmi scheme aimed to offer substantial financial relief and support to impoverished women across the country.
