Rahul Gandhi addresses public meeting at Dabhra, (Chhattisgarh)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting at Dabhra in Chhattisgarh after undertaking a huge padyatra. He slammed the central government for its anti-poor and anti-farmer policies.

Chhattisgarh Sterlization deaths: Rahul Gandhi slams state govt

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visited Bilaspur on Saturday where botched sterilization surgeries left 13 women dead. The Congress leader slammed the state government for the tragedy. “I am meeting people since morning, I’m very saddened by things they told me. Sterilisation deaths isn't just a case of medical negligence, but a case of corruption. Health Minister and the govt responsible for the incident in Bilaspur and they should be answerable. Govt doesn't want to accept its responsibility and trying to hide things. When mother of a family suffer from anything, the entire family gets hurt”, said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi at Durg in Chhattisgarh: Modi handed over the keys of Gujarat to Adani

Durg: "The chowkeedar has given the key of Gujarat to Adani" said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in a blistering attack on BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. While addressing a mega party rally at Durg in Chhattisgarh, the Congress leader said, "BJP and Modi talk loud about corruption. But BJP manifesto does not have any solid action plan to fight corruption. Further, it does not see the large scale corruption in Chhattisgarh. BJP just does lips services but does nothing. We gave you RTI -- the powerful weapon to fight corruption. The information which was confined to one section of persons and offices is now on public domain. One can get any information about govt functioning. Lots of corruption cases came out. In Gujarat there are no sufficient RTI commissioners. One man rules Gujarat and now he wants people to make him the chowkeedar of India."

Rahul Gandhi at Korba, Chhattisgarh: BJP not respecting people, one man takes all decision in it

Korba: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on BJP and said while Congress wants one India where everyone is respected; BJP wants to create two Indias. "They (BJP) never come to you or ask you about your issues. That is why BJP just copied Congress manifesto and replaced 'hand' symbol with its. In BJP, one person has all authority, he takes entire decisions. They do not respect other leaders or people" he said.

Rahul Gandhi at Balod in Chhattisgarh: Modi will do anything to become Prime Minister

Balod: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a mammoth election rally at Kharhibhardar ground in Kanker at Balod in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. While speaking on the occasion, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi could do anything to grab the power. "Modi wants to become Prime Minister and he will do anything for it. He will divide the people, will make you fight against each other. His party (BJP) considers that a single person (Modi) possesses all the knowledge. It thinks that he can run the entire country. BJP urges people to make that person the chowkeedar (watchman) of our country. But Congress wants every citizen to be India's watchman. We want the people to handle the key of our nation. You must be able to go anywhere and live with respect there. Remember, some watchmen loot the people too", said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh wants to encourage intense interaction with ordinary workers

Rahul Gandhi: Those who think that Congress can be finished would be wiped out
RAIPUR: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, visited Chhattisgarh and interacted with the party workers and motivated grass root Congressmen on Wednesday. He promised them to bring about a big change in the working of the Congress after the upcoming post Lok Sabha polls by giving a voice to the party workers.
The Congress Vice President said that strengthening the party at the grass-root level by encouraging intense interaction with ordinary workers would be the main objective of the Congress after the general elections. The party would listen to the workers “more attentively” and decide the future course of action across the country, he said. Rahul Gandhi interacted with the representatives of various frontal organisations of the Congress and spoke for about eight minutes in the local Indoor Stadium. Nearly three thousand party workers attended the programme.
"Be prepared for a big change as no one is more important in the Congress than its worker," said Rahul Gandhi while addressing party workers at Balbeer Juneja Indoor stadium. "After the elections, I would ensure that workers are heard in the party and their views taken seriously," added the Congress leader. “A new class has been created by the Congress in last 10 years. The size of this class is huge – 70 crore. This class is above the lower income group, but also below the middle class (as far as earning is concerned)… people who are working as plumbers, taxi drivers, carpenters etc. belong to this class,” he said and added, “the new class would be economically absorbed in the middle income group if the Congress was re-elected. This class is the strength of the country.”
Rahul Gandhi reiterated that Congress was not merely a political party but a thought that could not be wiped out. While referring to the BJP’s ‘Congress-mukt-Bharat- campaign, the Congress Vice President commented that those who think that Congress can be finished would be wiped out. “The BJP leaders say they want to remove Congress from the country. But the Opposition does not understand the history, that we are not an organisation, we are an ideology; the ideology of brotherhood, respect and love. No one can wipe out Congress and whoever tries to do so, will vanish," he said.
“After winning the elections, the main focus of the Congress would be the 70 crore Indians who are now above the poverty line but still not part of the country's middle class. Our policies in the past 5 to 10 years have helped get crores of people out of poverty. Now we will ensure that these 70 crore people are uplifted to the middle class," Rahul Gandhi said. He also described various initiatives like MGNREGA, RTI and Adhaar Card as tools empowering people.
Rahul Gandhi exhorted party workers to make people aware of them. "I've given you the tools to win elections. Spread the word and explain to the people what these initiatives mean for them and I assure that no one can defeat you," he said. Rahul Gandhi also urged workers to spread out to every nook and corner of the state and ensure the party's victory on all the 11 seats. "We will not give an inch to the opposition," he said.
Earlier, the Congress leader, as part of his ongoing campaign to take views of the common people for the Congress party's election manifesto, held a closed door meeting with representatives of the panchayats and farmers. Senior state leaders and office bearers were also present at the meeting.

Full text of Shri. Rahul Gandhi’s speech at Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Kanker (Chhattisgarh) 8th November 2013We have a BJP government here in Chhattisgarh. You must be remembering that entire Congress leadership in this state was killed by Naxals few months back. On one side BJP says it is against terrorism. But here, the entire top Congress leaders including Nandkumar Patel and Shukla ji, were brutally massacred. What did the state government do after that? The leaders of BJP talk big things on terrorism and violence, but do nothing.
Nandkumar Patel had warned that he would go to the people and make them aware of the misdeeds of the BJP government here. He was a pradhan and he was well aware of your problems. I had requested him to be cautious because of the Maoist threats. He replied to me that he is a leader of common people and not afraid of any such threats. He was determined to go to the people and ultimately he was murdered.
For the past ten years BJP has been ruling Chhattisgarh. There is no problem with this state. There is no shortage for money, resources, lands or forests. Chhattisgarh is rich but people are poor. The BJP government says it is developing the state. What development they are talking about? Are the youth here getting jobs? Are you getting proper education? The people in the govt just talk big things but people get nothing.
Even the state Chief Secretary says that minister is corrupt. Have you heard such an allegation by a Chief Secretary from any other state? This can happen only in Chhattisgarh. BJP claims it's doing well and Chhattisgarh is surging ahead. People are getting killed and Maoism is increasing but they claim progress.

BJP is the champion of corruption; it is the world champion in corruption.
The state government here ignores the women too. I was in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. We have a coalition government there. I was interacting with some of the members of our women self-help group. We have initiated the process of connecting the women with the banks. We are in the process of empowering them. It was the power of women that transformed Andhra Pradesh. Our effort in all the states ruled by Congress is to empower the youth. You can experience yourself how women play important roles in successful implementation of MNREGA. But here in Chhattisgarh, women are forgotten.
Congress believes in empowering people, the youth and the women. We gave you RTI. What is the meaning of RTI? Any Indian can get any information about the government. This ensures transparency in administration. RTI is a powerful weapon to fight corruption and Congress made RTI possible.
We gave you right to food, right to job and right to education. We are talking about the rights of the people. We want the people to take decisions, not bureaucrats. That is why we have initiated the process of giving you rights. We brought food security for the benefit of the entire country; we want to ensure food to everyone without any discrimination.

We had started a programme to train the youth in Kashmir and in the last year we could give jobs to about 15000 youngsters. About one lakh people will be able to secure jobs in immediate future. Are any such moves happened here? Any youth could secure a job here? No; you are forced to go to Maharashtra and Bangalore (Karnataka) where Congress is in power.

We have promised in our election manifesto that we will provide opportunity for the people of Chhattisgarh to secure a job here itself. This state is rich in resources. Most importantly we will empower you. It was Congress which gave you Panchayati Raj, aiming to empower the rural masses. We implemented Tribal Bill. But you could not avail any benefits.

Our country cannot move forward until we empower the common people - this has been the vision of the Congress. BJP wants that the entire power rest with the chief minister and also those with him enjoy benefits. And then they make big speeches about ensuring people benefit. They are not bothered about the people. Your Chief Minister has been claiming that all is well in Chhattisgarh. But the reality is just opposite.
21st century India wants power in the hands of the people. The people must have the right to job, right to information, right to education and right to food. This is Congress’ policy but BJP is against this. This is the difference between us.
BJP keeps on asking what Congress govt has done in the past 9 years. But they keep mum when CRPF jawans are killed and top Congress leaders are massacred here. BJP just washes their hands off.

We implemented MNREGA to guarantee jobs to the rural poor. Our Food Security bill is aiming at ensuring food to all. We gave you Land Acquisition Bill.
You know that about 6 lakh acres of lands were acquired by the BJP government here and sold it to big industrialists, but people got no benefits. I agree we need development, but the people whose lands are grabbed also must be benefitted. That is why we brought in the land bill. Not only the farmers whose lands are acquired but the labourers who work in the land also will be compensated.
BJP just talks big, makes hollow promises. Congress believes in action.

Congress is fighting this election as one. It
is the party of the common people, of the poor people, of the adivasis, labourers, Dalits, women and the youth. Congress is going to form a government here.
I want to remind you that the water, the lands and the forests here belong to you. The state belongs to you. The BJP people trying to snatch this from you, but Congress will be giving it back to you. And if you want to give your land to the industrialists, it will be your choice. No one can forcibly grab your lands without your permission.

Now I appeal to all Congress workers to go door to door and ask people to vote for Congress. Convince people to cast their votes on ‘hand’ so that we can form a government of aam aadmi here.

I was talking about attacks on our Congress leaders. These leaders were very close to the people. But they were snatched from you. In fact, the attack was not on Congress but it was on the voice of common man. Nandkumar Patel was going to become to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He was unstoppable. There was only one way to stop him and that was to kill him. That is what happened.
Nandkumar Patel was your voice. When he was killed, your voice was killed. So let us form a Congress government here to initiate the process of empowering aam aadmi, poor, adivasis and the youth.
Thank you.

Rahul Gandhi at Kanker (Chhattisgarh): Congress will form a government of aam aadmi

Kanker (Chhattisgarh): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday addressed a massive election rally at Kanker in poll bound Chhattisgarh. While speaking on the occasion, the Congress leader hit out at the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, accusing it of snatching the rights of people, especially tribals. The Congress Vice President said that people will see a miracle once a Congress government is formed in Chhattisgarh.

Rahul Gandhi in Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh) slams state BJP Govt, call it champion of corruption

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge election rally in Rajnandangaon at poll bound Chhattisgarh on Friday. He slammed the ruling the BJP government in the state calling it the world champions in corruption. "BJP is the champion of corruption; it is the world champion in corruption" he said.

Rahul Gandhi at Kanker (Chhattisgarh) hits out at BJP govt in the state

Rahul Gandhi at Kanker (Chhattisgarh) hits out at BJP govt in the state
Kanker (Chhattisgarh): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday addressed his a massive election rally at Kanker in poll bound Chhattisgarh. While speaking on the occasion, the Congress leader hit out at the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, accusing it of snatching the rights of people, especially tribals. The Congress Vice President assured that a Congress Government in the state will transform Chhattisgarh and the people will start getting their rights.

“We are trying empowering the people. We talk about panchayati raj, we talk about empowering the youth, the tribals but the BJP is trying to snatch your rights” said the Congress leader slamming the ruling BJP Government in the state. “Today, what you have here is a government of industrialists. They take away your lands, forests; we want to change this. We want a government ruled by common man. Congress will come again in Chhattisgarh, everyone knows this” added Rahul Gandhi.



“I could learn that there are no teachers in schools here. Do you have adequate teachers in schools or sufficient doctors in hospitals? No; What type of government is this? Their leaders are saying, it’s a shining government, I don’t see any shining here. I sense fear in women’s heart. Youth don’t have jobs, so what type of development BJP is talking about?” asked the Congress leader and assured that Congress will form a government here and will take care of women and provide employment to the youth.

Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP govt again by saying that it runs a pro-rich government in the state. “Today, what you have here is a government of industrialists. They take away your lands, forests; we want to change this. We want a government ruled by common man. Congress will come again in Chhattisgarh,” said the Congress leader.

Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh: BJP govt is the champion of corruption

Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh: BJP govt is the champion of corruption, the world champion
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge election rally in Rajnandangaon at poll bound Chhattisgarh on Friday. He slammed the ruling the BJP government in the state by calling it the world champions in corruption. “BJP is the champion of corruption; it is the world champion in corruption” he said.
Referring to the brutal massacre of top Congress leaders in the state by the Maoists in the last May, he said “I was talking about attacks on our Congress leaders. These leaders were very close to the people. But they were snatched from you. In fact, the attack was not on Congress but it was on the voice of common man”. “Nandkumar Patel was going to become to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He was unstoppable. There was only one way to stop him and that was to kill him. That is what happened”, further said the Congress leader.

Launching a blistering attack on the BJP government, Rahul Gandhi commented, “For the past ten years BJP has been ruling Chhattisgarh. There is no problem with this state. There is no shortage for money, resources, lands or forests. Chhattisgarh is rich but people are poor. The BJP government says it is developing the state. What development they are talking about? Are the youth here getting jobs? Are you getting proper education? The people in the govt just talk big things but people get nothing”. “Our country cannot move forward until we empower the common people - this has been the vision of the Congress. BJP wants that the entire power rest with the chief minister and also those with him enjoy benefits. And then they make big speeches about ensuring people benefit,” Rahul Gandhi said.



“You know that about 6 lakh acres of lands were acquired by the BJP government here and sold it to big industrialists, but people got no benefits. I agree we need development, but the people whose lands are grabbed also must be benefitted. That is why we brought in the land bill. Not only the farmers whose lands are acquired but the labourers who work in the land also will be compensated” said the Congress Vice President. “BJP just talks big, makes hollow promises. Congress believes in action” he quipped.

“Congress is fighting this election as one. It is the party of the common people, of the poor people, of the adivasis, labourers, Dalits, women and the youth. Congress is going to form a government here” he assured.

Striking a chord with the big crowd, Rahul Gandhi continued “I want to remind you that the water, the lands and the forests here belong to you. The state belongs to you. The BJP is trying to snatch this from you, but Congress will be giving it back to you. And if you want to give your land to the industrialists, it will be your choice. No one can forcibly grab your lands without your permission”.
“Nandkumar Patel was your voice. When he was killed, your voice was killed. So let us form a Congress government here to initiate the process of empowering aam aadmi, poor, adivasis and the youth,” said Rahul Gandhi while concluding his speech.

The polling in Chhattisgarh is scheduled to take place in two phases, on Nov 11 and 19.