The Congress might have fielded a candidate against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Dumka constituency, but the vice-president of the party has no word to speak about the JMM, even while delivering speech in an election rally at the stronghold of the party — the Santhal Pargana. Rahul Gandhi instead cannoned his entire attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP during his 30-minute speech at Shikaripara on Wednesday.
Seeking votes for party candidate Sagan Murmu who has been fielded against the CM from Dumka Assembly constituency, the Gandhi scion blamed Modi for being anti-poor. "Modi does not like the word poor. In the process he wants not the poverty but poor to be erased from the country. His clean India mission is also aimed to that only," he said to near 15,000-odd gathering, including over 4,000 students and other children, who came to listen to him from three constituencies—Shikaripara, Dumka and Jama.
In his address, Rahul used the word -- 'Shakti' not less than 50 times to drive home his point that the BJP-ruled Government at the Centre was robbing pro-people policies the Congress had given them. "It is an ideological difference between the BJP and the Congress. They think that just one person can do good for the country and that is Narendra Modi, while the Congress is a firm believer of taking all along. I have come here so that tribal, poor like you are strengthened," he said.
Some notable modification has also been this time in Rahul's address that he provided space on the stage to all the candidates present, raised hands with them, talked to them and started his speech in Santhali, the features missing from his earlier appearances in Jharkhand. PCC president Sukhdeo Bgahat, Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Balmuchu, former MP Subodh Kant Sahay, MlA KN Tripathi were also present on the occasion.
Rahul also used the occasion to remind his agitation about Niyamgiri in Odisha and also mentioned about land of farmers taken to built racing track at Noida in UP. "It is the Congress which provided you laws like land acquisition act, RTI, food security etc. The BJP and Modi are just worried about 5-6 big businessmen of the country and working to clear ways for them only because they are funding his expenses. Gujarat is the state where lands of common tribal and farmers have been taken away the maximum in the country."
Rahul also questioned the PM for his promises about employment and 'aache din'. "Has anyone got jobs as six months have been passedIJ Acche din has come only for a few businessmen and not for the common tribals like you," he said before reading out the manifesto of the party. He also said that the displaced of Mayurakshi Hydel Project would be compensated afresh if Congress comes to power in Jharkhand.