Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday held interactions with railway porters as part of Congress’ outreach programme to seek their feedback for the party’s manifesto for 2014 lok Sabha polls. During the nearly two-hour interaction, Gandhi talked about the need to create a concrete support base with “basic minimum rights” for 70 crore people of the strata between BPl and middle class, a theme he has of late been repeatedly talking about.
“In India, there are 70 crore people who do different odd jobs, they want to go forward. They want a little help. We take everyone’s voice to the government for the betterment of their life. “We want to strengthen the ground beneath this 70 crore people. I promise you that I will do whatever I can to help you,” Gandhi said.
During interactions, Gandhi also said coolies should have a right of health and when they are injured in course of their job and they should be treated by authorities. On January 30, Gandhi had held interactions with labour representatives from organised and unorganised sectors including street vendors.
The interaction with coolies, organised on a platform at New Delhi Railway station on Tuesday, is part of the on-going process of Congress this time to seek feedback from cross-sections of society and will be followed by another such elaborate exercise with farmers. Gandhi has so far held consultations with representatives of minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, youth, women and elected representatives of panchayats.