NDA neglected farmers & poor people : Rahul Gandhi

While addressing an election rally in Pipariya (MP), Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that UPA has fulfilled all its promises, and for the past 5 years had worked for poor people. He said, “Unlike the opposition, we had made just one promise, to work for poor people, for Dalits and the backward classes, and we fulfilled that promise.”
Congress General Secretary reiterated that the biggest promise made by his government was the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. “It is the largest scheme in the world and by implementing it, our government has ensured hundred days of employment for all, without any discrimination on the basis of caste, community and area,” he said. Alleging that the NDA had neglected farmers he said, ‘While the NDA neglected farmers, the UPA government waived loans for them. Our government waived loans worth 70,000 crore rupees and returned their money.”
Congress General Secretary said that the future of India lies in its children. He said, “For school going children our government launched the Mid-day Meal Scheme under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).” Enumerating the work done by his government for tribal people, he said “UPA government enacted a law for tribal people, to give tribal people rights over their forestland. The UPA government passed a bill in Parliament to ensure this.”
Rahul Gandhi said that his party is fighting for the cause of poor people but it is unfortunate that funds sent by the Centre were not being used properly at the state level. He said, “My father used to say that only 15 paisa out of hundred, reaches the common man but I will say that it is now reduced to 5 Paisa.” He criticized the BJP for misguiding people on the issue of central grants that were given to states. He said, “Compared to the NDA regime, UPA has given three times more funds to the states.”

Congress General Secretary accused BJP of dividing society on the basis of religion and region. He said, “We believe that all Indians irrespective of his caste, community and area should have equal say in development and it is only then that India can move forward.”
He said, “During election time, the opposition is busy making new slogans instead of talking about poverty and unemployment. Now they are talking about Swiss Banks and terrorism. They say that Manmohan Singh is a weak Prime Minister but fact is that it was the pressure of Manmohan Singh that Pakistan came to our terms after recent Mumbai attacks,” he said.
He questioned BJP leader L K Advani’s role in the Kandhar hijack case and said that if he didn’t know about the release of terrorists in Kandhar he should have resigned. “Now you people have to decide who is strong and who is weak,” he said.
Congress General Secretary accused the BJP led state government of not implementing Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and of neglecting the healthcare sector. He assured people that a new NTPC plant will soon be started in the state. Rahul Gandhi concluded his speech by saying, “vote for a party which will serve the poor & backward people, for Dalits.”