Rahul Gandhi campaigns in Karnataka: Hits out at BJP over corruption

Hassan: Congress Vice President RahulGandhi on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP for its double-speak on corruption. “BJP talks loud about corruption in Parliament. But the rampant corruption in Karnataka, under its rule’ is not visible for them” said Rahul Gandhi.  "We have given you RTI to expose corruption," he claimed. "The BJP leaders talk about corruption. Yesterday in Parliament, they spoke about corruption. But they will not talk about Karnataka. They will not mention the corruption in Karnataka. They will not say a chief minister went to jail. They will not say Reddy brothers who they sold the entire state to... they talk about corruption," continued Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a big Congress rally in Hasan ahead of the May 5 Assembly Elections, Rahul Gandhi sarcastically said the BJP has won the world cup of corruption. Striking an emotional chord with the people of the state, the Congress Vice President said “The state of Karnataka developed because of the hard-works put in by the poor, farmers and the labourers in the state. But today the development is not seen in the state due to the ignorance and misrule of the BJP government here”. He further charged that the BJP has mortgaged Karnataka's future to mafia.

“The money we have today belongs to the people of this country and it should reach back to the people. That is why Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre implemented policies like MNREGA and RTE” explained the Congress leader.

He said Karnataka had a lot of natural resources, among them huge iron ore reserve. "This wealth does not belong to one individual. It belongs to everybody in Karnataka. It belongs to the youth and old people of Karnataka.'

In an indirect dig at former BJP leader and ex-state CM BS Yeddyurappa, Rahul Gandhi urged the people to elect a chief minister who doesn't spend time in jail. He further noted that nobody was happy with the political system and there was a need to include youth and women in the system to bring in real change. “I request the youth and women in the state to join politics to transform the system” stated the young Congress leader”.

“BJP had promised a lot but did nothing” alleged the Congress MP and added “While Congress believes in inclusive growth, BJP follows a divisive agenda”.

“The responsibility of an MLA is to work for the people. There is no place for any MLA in the Congress party who does not work for the people” asserted Rahul Gandhi amidst loud applauds from the crowd.

Earlier, while addressing another Congress rally in Mandya, Rahul Gandhi said “There was a time when the state of Karnataka was shining in all fields. But the state has now lost its shine due to the misrule of the BJP”.

Rahul Gandhi urged the people to oust the present BJP regime in the state and to elect a pro-poor, pro-development, progressive Congress government to bring back the lost glory of Karnataka.

Rahul Gandhi at CII conclave; stresses for inclusive growth, improved connectivity

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi while addressing the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) annual conclave at New Delhi on Thursday stressed for the need for inclusive growth and improved connectivity. “The biggest danger is excluding people -  excluding the poor, middle class, tribals, dalits, women and minorities. Whenever he have not embraced the excluded – the women, tribals, poor, we always have fallen backwards” said Rahul Gandhi.

In his first interaction with India Inc Rahul Gandhi shared his vision with top business leaders of the country during an hour-long interaction emphasising on the need for bringing about structural changes to empower common people and providing basic infrastructure in all respects.

Striking chord with the Industrial giants Rahul Gandhi said “I have come here because I have belief in you. I believe that this country cannot move forward without you.  I have come here because I want to forge a partnership with you – a long term partnership to take this country forward.  Let us work together to build a brave empowered new India”.

The Congress Vice President underlined that the Congress is the only party which believes in inclusive growth and added that the country has witnessed faster economic growth under the UPA government at the centre because it had greatly lowered tensions among communities and fostered harmony. “Anger, hatred and prejudice do not contribute to growth. Do not underestimate the benefits of harmony” further said Rahul Gandhi.  

“When you play the politics of alienating communities, you stop the movement of people and ideas. When that happens we all suffer. Businesses suffer and the seeds of disharmony are sown and the dreams of our people are severely disrupted and cautioned that this damage takes a very long time to reverse” argued the young Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi went on to say “What India is thirsting for now is a visionary partnership – a partnership that incentivises the view to provide economic gains for the poor and millions of aspiring middle class.  It is only once this partnership is forged, that will generate the momentum to transform this country”.  “Congress party is the only political institution capable of forging this partnership. It is the only party which is inclusive by design and its core-value is promoting harmony. We are committed to creating an open political architecture that is accessible to every Indian”, he added.

While concluding his address, Rahul Gandhi said that India cannot move forward without partnership; without working together. ”The poor are one component of our country. Business is another component. The middle class is the third component. We have to work with all these components. .. it cannot be done without you”.

Rahul Gandhi’s first interaction with India Inc was heartfelt, honest and self-critiquing and echoed his progressive vision for a better transformed India.