Farmers and labourers to be included in development: Rahul

Last Updated: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 21:45

Tags: Rahul Gandhi, Farmers, Development

Ranchi: AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the government will include farmers and labourers in the development process of the country.

Addressing a poll meeting here, Gandhi mocked the BJP's 2004 'India Shining' slogan saying the Opposition was more concerned about the affluent section.

"For them India shone for the rich, but your mandate taught them that India was not shining for backwards, dalits, tribals and the poor and (you) elected the government of Manmohan Singh (in 2004)," Gandhi said.

"You also voted the UPA in the May general elections," he said while slamming the Opposition which is "ashamed" of poverty in the villages.

"When I took a minister from England to a village to show the power of the toiling people that moves India's development, the Opposition said I was showing poverty."

"They (the Opposition) are ashamed of it, but we are not. Because we would like to include the energy of the farmers and other hardworking people in the future development of the country," Gandhi said without naming the BJP.

The Centre earmarked funds and launched welfare programmes for Jharkhand, but proper implementation could be done only with a like-minded government coming in the state which could work in tandem with the Centre, Gandhi said, while appealing to people to vote for the Congress-led alliance in the ensuing five-phase assembly polls beginning November 25.

Bureau Report

First Published: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 21:45

Comments

ROY D -
Going back the congress have always used ``Kissan and Garibi`` in their vote planks since independence. They have always taken advantage of these groups for maximum part of their ruling but never came with anything concrete to put the poor out of their miseries. The policy and commitment lacked sincerity.
The NREGA and loan waivers are an attempt to get this people back to the age old party but still doubt the sincerity of the process.
Under current atmosphere the regional parties have put their tentacles around these people and Congress is making big announcements to lure them. Hopefully all political parties set some standards for overall economical and educational development and not play the cards of cast/rich and poor.We still have a long way to catch up in guarantying our poor and needy the basics.