Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that land owned by farmers is being snatched away in Chhattisgarh by the ruling government in the name of development.
‘We (Congress) are not against development or industrialization. But, the land is falling into the hands of a chosen few while the farmers are being denied proper price for the land and even the benefits of resultant development,’ he said while addressing a public meeting in restive Kondagaon in Bastar division under unprecedented security cover.
The Congress Vice President said that development takes place by working for the welfare of the poor, tribals and the farmers and not by merely releasing ‘India Shining’ and ‘Gujarat Model’ balloons.
The BJP has no heart for the poor and the tribals. ‘Chhattisgarh is blessed with so much of natural resources but its benefits are not reaching the people of the State’, he said. The Congress party’s manifesto had promised health and education as the right of the people while concentrating on the segment of population of more than 70 crore which is neither poor nor middle class, he said.
‘We don't believe in making speeches and hollow promises and instead prefer to work,’’ the Congress Vice President remarked. "Do you have sufficient schools, colleges and proper roadsIJ," Gandhi asked.
Also present on the occasion were AICC National Treasurer Motilal Vora, Rajya Sabha MP Mohsina Kidwai, AICC National General Secretary and In-Charge of Chhattisgarh B K Hariprasad, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, leader of Opposition in Chhattisgarh Assembly T S Singh Deo, State Congress President Bhupesh Baghel besides MlAs and other public representatives from the party.