Congress president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, promised to install a “people’s government” in Chhattisgarh. He also accused the ruling BJP of destroying the state in its 15-year rule.
Gandhi was in the state to pitch before second phase of polling. He praised the presence of natural resources in the state and said that it was among the richest in the country in terms of water, forest, mines and minerals.
He further accused government’s inefficient policies and said, “But, people have remained poor due to the policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government”.
The Congress chief while invoking his family ties with the state said that the relationship was of love and not politics. He also claimed that lands of locals in of the tribal-dominated state were taken away to set up industries. But even when the units were not set up, the lands were not returned to the people.
Promising a government that would benefit people, Mr. Gandhi said, “The Congress will install a people’s government in the state which will empower farmers, small and medium businesses and provide employment to the youth”.
He also promised to implement the Land Acquisition Act, waive off loan for farmers and provide them bonus and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, if the party comes to power.
He further targeted PM Narendra Modi and said that he had not uttered a word about corruption in Chhattisgarh. “I do politics for the rights of poor, farmers and youth. I will not protect 10-15 industrialists at their cost,” he said.
Polling for the first phase is over and the second phase in 72 seats, out of the total 90-member Assembly, will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on December 11.