Rahul Gandhi Slams ‘Double Standards’ on Subsidies: Poor’s Aid Labeled ‘Revdi,’ Corporate Perks Called ‘Development’
Indian Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Modi government of applying a glaring double standard in how it treats financial assistance for the poor versus benefits extended to powerful industrialists like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.
In a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi wrote: “When the poor receive subsidies to survive, it’s called ‘revdi’ and ‘freebies’. When Adani and Ambani receive land at throwaway prices, tax exemptions, and lakhs of crores in loan write-offs — it’s called development. The poor are shamed. The powerful are celebrated.”
He added: “I am open to a conversation about freebies, but let’s be honest and account for both sides of the equation.”
Gandhi’s remarks echo his long-standing criticism of corporate loan write-offs, often cited by him in figures exceeding Rs.16 lakh crore over recent years, which he contrasts with welfare schemes for farmers, women, and the underprivileged that are frequently derided as populist “freebies” or “revdi culture” by the ruling BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously used the term “revdi” to criticize what he sees as unsustainable electoral handouts by opposition-ruled states, arguing they strain public finances and discourage self-reliance. Gandhi, however, has repeatedly defended such measures as essential investments in social equity, while highlighting how large-scale corporate relief, including tax incentives, subsidized infrastructure, and bank debt settlements, goes largely unquestioned.
This latest intervention comes amid ongoing debates over fiscal priorities, including criticisms of the Union Budget 2026-27 for allegedly favoring corporate interests over addressing unemployment, farmer distress, and rising inequality. Gandhi has also linked broader economic issues to alleged favoritism toward select conglomerates, including references to U.S. investigations involving the Adani Group and mentions of Anil Ambani in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein files during recent parliamentary sessions.
