Karauli (Rajasthan), April 20 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Sunday came down heavily on the Gujarat model of development touted by the BJP and its prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi.
Gandhi said it is more of a "toffee model" that has benefitted only some industrialists in the western state while ignoring the interests of farmers and the poor.
The Gandhi scion was addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Karauli town, over 200 km from the state capital Jaipur.
Gandhi alleged that 45,000 acres of land has been given to an industrialist for a mere Rs.300 crore. "The land of the poor and the farmers was sold at Re.1 per metre ... For Re.1, you get a toffee here. There, land was sold at Re.1 per metre," he said.
"(L.K.) Advani and Jaswant Singh have been sidelined and if (Atal Bihari) Vajpayeeji would have been in public life, he would also be facing similar situation."
The Congress vice president accused the BJP of copying the Congress manifesto.
"We visited people across the country and spoke with them to know what they want. On the basis of their demands and concerns, we prepared a manifesto, but all BJP did was to copy ours," said Gandhi.
He added the BJP replaced the picture of 'haath' (hand which is Congress party sign) with that of a 'kamal' (lotus which is the BJP sign) on the manifesto cover.
He added most of the promises made in the BJP's manifesto have already been fulfilled by the Congress.
"They are saying they would provide one rank one pension. However, we have already implemented this scheme... they are saying they would build a manufacturing corridor, we have already started working on this industrial corridor," said Gandhi.
The Congress, he said, wants to give power to common men rather than a handful of industrialists.
Gandhi said: "We have taken 15 crore people out of poverty in the last 10 years."
The Congress is a party for the weak, poor and the farmers, he said.
"There is a difference between us and the opposition. We care about all, they do politics for a select few. They talk about Gujarat development, we talk about poor and downtrodden and giving rights," he added.
Taking a dig at Narendra Modi's comment that "I (Modi) don't want to become prime minister, want to be a chowkidar", Gandhi, without naming anyone, said: "BJP talks about chowkidar (watchman) of tijori (safe). But I have heard that chowkidars also steal. We (the Congress) want to empower all Indians."
As Rahul Gandhi spoke, partymen raised slogans in his support.
"We launched free medicines scheme in the state when we had our government here. Are you getting free medicines now under BJP government?... no ... the BJP only runs government for big industrialists and not for poor or the downtrodden," he added.
"If we come to power, we want to give free medicines and also provide right to shelter to the poor," he said.
State Congress president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot also addressed the rally.
Voting in Karauli-Dholpur and four other constituencies will take place April 24.
Two cases of Nipah virus have been reported in the country; WHO says there is no need to impose restrictions on travel or trade.
Two cases of Nipah virus have been reported in India. Regarding this, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, January 30, that there is no need to panic, as the risk of a Nipah virus
If you want to take a new smartphone in the budget of 15000 rupees, then take a look at these latest options
In the past, many great smartphones have been launched in the range of 15000 rupees. If you are planning to buy a new phone and your budget is between 10 to 15 thousand, then at this time you will get
India Planning Rs 11,900 Crore Bailout For Airlines Hit By Virus: Report
भारत ने उड्डयन क्षेत्र के लिए 1.6 बिलियन डॉलर (11,900 करोड़ रुपये) के बचाव पैकेज की
Assam polls before May 2016: CEC Brahma
Guwahati, March 24 (IANS) Elections to the Assam legislative assembly will be held before May 2016, Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma said here on Tuesday.The entire 1.9 crore electorate in
Debate erupted over 90 hours of work a week, now a member of PM Modi's special team said - this is stupidity.
Amid the debate over longer working hours, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal on Sunday termed the demands of corporate leaders as foolish. Sanyal said in a
Earthquake in Assam: Earth shook due to an earthquake in Guwahati, Assam, people came out of their homes
Earthquake tremors have been felt in Assam's Guwahati and other parts of the North Eastern region. As soon as the earthquake came, people came out of their houses in fear. However, there is no news of
Covid Cases In China: 5,643 new cases of Covid-19 surfaced in China on Sunday, restrictions and lockdown continue
Corona outbreak has started increasing once again in China. China on Sunday reported the newest cases of COVID-19 in six months, despite recent hopes of an easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The
Bangladesh in turmoil, anger spills over into India: Fury witnessed in Tripura, BJP outraged by mob lynching; disturbing images emerge.
Violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of opposition leader Osman Hadi, a critic of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Late Thursday night, rioters set fire to the offices of the
Farmers are adamant, today Delhi-Meerut Expressway blocked again, know the traffic situation of NCR
The farmers, who are opposing the agricultural laws of the central government, have stood by their demands and their performance is continuing. Because of the farmers' agitation, the movement of
Lohia left a deep impact on Indian politics: Modi
New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birthday and said the socialist leader left a "deep impact" on Indian politics."On his
