After having narrated the stories of his mother and grandmother in past two public meetings, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tried to strike an emotional chord with the people by recounting his personal experiences in Bundelkhand region.
Reckoning his 2005 visit to Bundelkhand when he had slept in the houses of the poor, shared meals with them and discussed their problems.
He said that despite being bit by mosquitoes and facing an upset stomach, he was not worried as the visit helped him to get a feel of how poor people live in real India. He wished that similarly more and more leaders should visit villages in India.
Rahul said after his visit to parts of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a package of Rs4,750 crore was sanctioned for the region. Rahul then asked the people if even one jobless youth had got employment under it, to which the crowd responded with a loud no.
He also highlighting the pro-poor Food Security Act and the land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act, said the BJP opposed the Right to Food law, asking how it would be funded.
"When it comes to giving food to the poor, the BJP opposed the food Bill, saying where the money for it will come from," he said.
On the land acquisition law, he said, "The farmer and the labourer should also get the market rate for his land, like the rich." He added that the Government has hiked compensation for land four times.
Targeting the BJP Government, ruling the State since 1998, Gandhi said, "While the poor people of the State are having a difficult time, the Ministers are happy."
"Did India Shining (BJP's national campaign of 2004) bring development to you," he asked, claiming that the Congress engages in the politics of development and empowerment of people.