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.
Riyaz Naikoo was the face of Hizbul Mujahideen after Burhan Wani
Riyaz Naikoo, the top terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen killed today, was the face of Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir after the death of Burhan Wani in the year 2016 and he had recruited hundreds of youths
QR Code: Information about TV, fridge, oven and all electrical appliances on QR code, the government has given permission
Information related to TV, fridge, oven, and all electrical appliances will be available with the help of a scan of the product. For this, the Central Government has made changes in the Rules of Legal
Rakesh Tikait accuses the Center of disobedience, said - farmers should be ready for a long struggle
Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait again targeted the central government on Monday regarding the issue of farmers. He accused the Center of betraying the farmers of the country. Tikait said, "The work of
Cricketing world congratulates Sangakkara, Jayawardene
Sydney, March 18 (IANS) As Sri Lanka’s two batting icons Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene retired from limited overs cricket after their loss to South Africa in the World Cup
What never happened in 24 years will happen now? In the trends, BJP has made the 'lotus' bloom here; government is going to be formed
The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is underway. It will become clear who will rule the country for the next five years. Also, it will be decided who will win the Odisha assembly
Russia can attack Ukraine at any time: Biden said - Putin's intentions revealed in intelligence report; the First attack on Kiev
US President Joe Biden has said that Russia is fully prepared to attack Ukraine. US President Joe Biden made this claim in a televised address on Friday night (according to US time). After talking to
Despite good performance, Ashwin will not be able to make a place in the World Cup team, the former AUS captain claimed.
Ravichandran Ashwin returned to the ODI team after 20 months. Ashwin's performance in the three-match ODI series being played against Australia has also been strong. In the second ODI, Ashwin staked
Congress, BJP spar over change of Foreign Secretary
New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The Congress Thursday questioned the abrupt replacement of foreign secretary Sujatha Singh before the end of her tenure and demanded that the government explain the
Delhi Pollution: Gopal Rai's appeal to work from home, said - refrain from traveling in private vehicles
The level of pollution in the country's capital Delhi is continuously increasing. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said the people of Delhi are responsible for the national capital's
PM Modi In Mahakumbh: PM Modi took a holy dip in Sangam, CM Yogi was also present with him.
On the eighth day of Maha Kumbh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a holy dip in the holy Sangam. After bathing, meditation, and Puja Aarti in Sangam, the Prime Minister left the fair area in a
