Jharkhand polls: Modi govt has plans to privatise coal sector, says Sonia Gandhi

Patamda: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has plans to privatise the coal sector to benefit a few industrialists at the cost of the people.

"The Congress nationalised the coal sector to give benefits to the people of the state while the BJP government has planned to privatise it to extend benefits to a select few industrialists," Gandhi claimed.

Addressing a poll meeting here in support of her candidate from Jugsalai (SC) Dulal Bhuyan, Gandhi further alleged that the Modi government harbours plans to "weaken" the Right to Information Act, MGNREGA and Land Acquisition Act.

The previous UPA government, she added, enacted the acts in the interest of tribals and dalits.

Flaying Modi on the tribal issue, Gandhi alleged that "the BJP does exactly the opposite to what it says.

"Gujarat has eight per cent tribal population, but a majority of them were displaced because of the state government's acquisition of land to extend benefit to capitalists," Gandhi said.

Gandhi appealed to the people to give the Congress a majority this time as the BJP-led governments had "looted" Jharkhand while promising development in the mineral-rich state if voted to power.

"We are committed to serve the interests of the tribals and others. We need your support by giving the Congress majority," Gandhi said ahead of the second of the five-phase elections scheduled on December 2 for 20 constituencies.