Stepping up his attack on the BJP, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today said that if the BJP were to come to power at the Centre the country will fall into the grip of a handful of very rich people.
“They want the poor to keep watching while the rich take everything. In Maharashtra, those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are beaten up and expelled. Women were assaulted in Karnataka and a Nelson’s eye was turned to graft by (ex-Chief Minister) Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa,” he alleged, while addressing a poll rally in this district headquarters.
The BJP’s politics is that of division and ‘he’ (the saffron party’s prime ministerial nominee, Narendra Modi) speaks of eliminating the Congress, Gandhi said, adding that the BJP wishes to have a country dominated by five to six industrialists.
“In Gujarat, 45,000 acres were provided to an industrialist at Re 1 per square metre, which is the price of a toffee. That businessperson’s turnover shot up from `3,000 crore to `40,000 crore in the space of a decade. The industrialist did not create employment but merely sold the land at high prices,” he said.
“Another captain of industry was provided a coastal area for only `30 crore, Gandhi alleged, adding that textile units which used to be Gujarat’s backbone are lying closed, the diamond trade’s labourers are shedding tears and if a person’s daily income is`12 then he or she is considered above the poverty line there.” Rahul stated.
“In that State, 27,000 Government posts are lying vacant. Gujarat’s populace has been sweating for years. The Amul cooperative movement was made to stand on its feet by women. However, it is claimed that Gujarat’s achievements are due to one person, Modi, who wants to be made the ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of India,” he quipped.
Addressing a rally at Khandwa Stadium in support of the sitting MP and Congress nominee Arun Yadav, he said today’s women need respect at all levels than just empowerment. “BJP has put up posters saying they will give ‘shakti’ to women. Today’s women are capable enough and more than empowerment, they need respect at all levels,” he said.
Raking up the “snooping” controversy, Gandhi said, “Although the BJP talks of empowering women, a woman was stalked by the entire police force in Gujarat.”
He said, “Unlike BJP, the Congress will work for the common man and will provide free medicines and treatment to poor.”