Punching holes into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claims of “inclusive growth”, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it was working only for the progress of businessmen and industrialists. The Congress, on the other hand, always protected the interests of poor, he added.
Gandhi also said the BJP “divided” people while the Congress believed in taking everyone along on the path of progress.
Addressing a rally at Chittorgarh, he said: “The country is for all — the rich, poor, businessmen, farmers, labourers and Dalits. Our focus is on Dalits and the poor, while BJP focuses only on businessmen and industrialists.” The main opposition party spoke about developing roads, airports and infrastructure, but its views weren’t reflected in action towards the poor, he added.
“We have made efforts to uplift the poor by giving them powers…We have already given them the right to food,” Gandhi said, adding that the UPA government had launched many other welfare schemes like NREGA and free medicine but the BJP had been opposing these.
At another rally in Bikaner, he said: “While we believe in working, the BJP is an expert in marketing controversial issues. We believe in connecting people but the BJP believes in dividing people. We do not think of today, but of tomorrow. During Rajiv Gandhi’s time, these people made jokes about his futuristic vision, but today telephone and computers are helping the farmers the most.”
{{/usCountry}}At another rally in Bikaner, he said: “While we believe in working, the BJP is an expert in marketing controversial issues. We believe in connecting people but the BJP believes in dividing people. We do not think of today, but of tomorrow. During Rajiv Gandhi’s time, these people made jokes about his futuristic vision, but today telephone and computers are helping the farmers the most.”
{{/usCountry}}Praising the development in the state under chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Gandhi said the upcoming refinery at Barmer would provide employment to two lakh people.