Rahul Gandhi in Bihar: BJP wants development for only a selected group

Rahul Gandhi in Bihar: NDA and BJP indulge in politics of hate
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a mega party rally in Bihar’s Aurangabad as part of his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. “Congress believes in a politics of love. We never make people fight against another. Shiv Sena is an ally of BJP and is in NDA. Who threatens the people from Bihar in Maharashtra? It is Shiv Sena, the BJP ally. But BJP and NDA come here and make huge promises of Bihar’s development but never talk about the assaults on Bihari people in Maharashtra” said the Congress leader striking a chord with the large crowd.
“Wherever BJP goes, they incite violence. They make people fight. I had interacted with some Sikh farmers working in Gujarat. They have been working there since independence but now they face threat of eviction from the Gujarat government. But the SAD which is a partner of BJP (and NDA) never uttered any word against it” said Rahul Gandhi slamming BJP and NDA.
About future plans of the Congress party, the party leader explained, “In the next ten years, we will generate 10 crore new jobs for the youth. We know that for development, our youth must get proper education and sufficient jobs. The new dedicated freight-industrial corridor project initiated by us (Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai and Delhi – Kolkata) will boost the industries and also will generate lakhs of job”. “We gave people right to job, right to education and right to food. Now we plan to give them right to health care so that the poor can get free medicines. We will open the doors of hospitals for them. Similarly we will also provide them with a right to shelter and we also plan pension schemes for the old aged persons” he added.
“We wanted to build a strong base under the feet of the poor. We want to instil a feeling of self reliance inside their minds. We want to empower the poor. We want their children also get quality education and proper jobs. BJP wants development for only a selected group. The issues of poor and downtrodden are not at all important for BJP” asserted the Congress Vice President.
“We talk less but act. We never give hollow promises. BJP and NDA are good at marketing and they spend huge amounts for it” he said in an indirect dig at BJP.
Rahul Gandhi then focussed on issues of women. “50% of our population is women. We always talk about super power. But India can never be a superpower if we do not empower our women. The women reservation to grant 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies are still pending. It is the BJP who opposes it as they never want women empowerment. But we will pass it like we passed the legislation to grant 50% reservation for women in Panchayats. Similarly our manifesto also offers about 2000 mahila police stations across the country. We will connect more women with the banks through Self Help Groups” he said.
“We treat everyone equally and we want to work for the welfare of all sections. But BJP talks about only one person and they think all issues will be solved if that person becomes Prime Minister. We are different from them. We believe in empowering all our citizens” underlined Rahul Gandhi and sought people’s support for Congress.
Full text of the speech of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at Aurangabad, Bihar

Rahul Gandhi's interaction with artisans in Moradabad (UP)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi started his UP campaign on Saturday. He visited Moradabad and held a meeting with artisans. He heard the issues and grievances of artisans and promised to solve them as soon as possible.

Rahul Gandhi at Congress'2014 Lok Sabha poll manifesto release function

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi at Congress'2014 Lok Sabha poll manifesto release function. "We have decided to make our manifesto not in closed rooms but we would ask the people of India what they want." Rahul Gandhi said at the function.

Rahul Gandhi strikes chord with tribal women in Madhya Pradesh

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with tribal women at Mandla in Madhya Pradesh."I am here not to give speeches but to listen to you" said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with pan salt mine workers in Kharghodra, Gujarat

) Congress Vice President Sh. Rahul Gandhi visited Kharghodra in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi heard grievances of mine workers and discussed various issues including low wages, system inequalities, right to health and unfair land acquirement regulations. ""I am very happy to be here to listen to you issues." Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with Stone mine workers in Rajasthan

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is interacting with the stone mine workers in Bikaner at Rajasthan. He listened to the issues of the workers and assured all possible help.

Rahul Gandhi in Ranchi interacts with tribal women from Jharkhand

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a one-day visit to Jharkhand, interacted with tribal women at Ranchi. He also had held similar discussions with other sections of the society across the country. Rahul Gandhi patiently heard the complaints, suggestions and remarks from tribal women and also shared some of his thoughts with them. "I have a long relationship with you. I am here to fight for your rights. I will take your battle ahead with your support", assured the Congress Vice President.

Rahul Gandhi visits Ranchi in Jharkhand

Rahul Gandhi to Tribal women at Ranchi: I will fight your struggle, with you and for you
Ranchi: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a one-day visit to Jharkhand, interacted with tribal women at Ranchi. He also had held similar discussions with other sections of the society across the country.
Rahul Gandhi patiently heard the complaints, suggestions and remarks from tribal women and also shared some of his thoughts with them. "I have a long relationship with you. I am here to fight for your rights. I will take your battle ahead with your support”, assured the Congress Vice President.
“I had already told several times that we cannot develop if we do not empower the women in our country properly. Panchayati Raj system ensures reservation for women, but still, the women empowerment is not taking place in the required manner. Tribal women are also not empowered properly. They need education, health & political participation” said Rahul Gandhi.
“I want to fight for the rights of Adivasi women; I want more and more from you to join politics.. We need to empower tribal women, give them equal opportunities” added Rahul Gandhi.
Striking a chord with the gathering the Congress leader said, “Adivasi community has the better ideas than anyone else in our country”. He also asserted that the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre implemented several policies for the welfare of the people and the Tribals. “Our govt gave you MNREGA, Food Security and Tribal bills... The Food Security bill gives the people rights to food; this will benefit tribals the most” informed Rahul Gandhi.
Most of the workers raised issues relating to local governance, opening of closed factories in Maoist-prone areas, employment opportunities for tribal women, and providing education to tribal children. Rahul Gandhi also told the gathering that he wanted tribal women to come forward to fight elections and become MLAs and MPs.

Rahul Gandhi seeks opinion of labour sector for Congress manifesto, Part 05

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been holding interactive sessions across the country, an attempt to maximise participation from the people in order to strengthen the Congress's election manifesto. "We will draft the manifesto after taking everybody's suggestion into consideration," he said. On Thursday, he spoke to the members of the labour union representatives of unorganised and organised sectors and said that the main problem was that there was no way that people's power was prevalent in the Parliament. "Our selection of candidate will be completely transparent so that your voice will be heard in the parliament," he said.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with representatives of labour unions on Congress manifesto

Rahul Gandhi takes feedback from representatives of labour unions on Congress manifesto
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi while interacting with the representatives of labour unions, of both organised and unorganised sectors and street vendors, to seek their opinion for the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls said that seventy crore Indians - who are above poverty line but below the the middle class, should be brought into the middle class in the next 5-10 years,
The Congress Vice President told the labour representatives that he will push for the clearance of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill in the extended winter session of parliament next month. Rahul Gandhi also assured that he will push for the implementation of recommendations to empower the de-notified and nomadic tribes in India. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government has enacted several rights-based legislations which have provided the vulnerable sections a platform to seek better remuneration, he informed.
Referring to the flag ship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), Rahul Gandhi said it provided a concrete surface to the poor sections and ended uncertainty related to income in their lives.
In his address at the All India Congress Committee meeting earlier this month also Rahul Gandhi had said a new class of about 70 crore people was emerging which was “just above the poverty line but below the middle class”. He said people in this category include labourers, security guards and painters, and they go down the poverty line the moment someone falls ill in their family and were struggling hard to provide education to their children.
During his interaction on Thursday the Congress leader said the 70 crore people “build the country” and the aim should be to bring them in the middle class in the next “5-10 years”. “The 70 crore people... if we want to put them in the middle class, that is what the aim should be... we have to provide a concrete surface beneath their feet. In 5-10 years, they should feel they are in the middle class,” said Rahul Gandhi. The 70 crore people should also be made aware of their rights in education and health, he added and assured that the Congress party will take the voice of labourers and workers to the state assemblies and Lok Sabha.
The participants gave their suggestions, including creating a national commission for labour, uniform wages to Anganwadi workers, social security for labourers in the unorganised sector, increase in pension and protection for women workers.
Rahul Gandhi also met aspirants of civil services examination and told them that he will take up their concerns about change in the pattern of the examination. Following the meeting, his office issued a statement saying he will take up their concerns. The Union Public Service Commission in 2013 excluded foreign languages from its curriculum. The move has affected thousands of students who opted for different languages as subjects in the exam. “Rahul Gandhi agreed with the students and said all aspects should have been taken into account before making a change. He said he will do everything he can on this issue,” the statement said.

Rahul Gandhi seeks opinion of labour sector for Congress manifesto, Part 02

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been holding interactive sessions across the country, an attempt to maximise participation from the people in order to strengthen the Congress's election manifesto. "We will draft the manifesto after taking everybody's suggestion into consideration," he said. On Thursday, he spoke to the members of the labour union representatives of unorganised and organised sectors and said that the main problem was that there was no way that people's power was prevalent in the Parliament. "Our selection of candidate will be completely transparent so that your voice will be heard in the parliament," he said.

Rahul Gandhi seeks opinion of labour sector for Congress manifesto, Part 01

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been holding interactive sessions across the country, an attempt to maximise participation from the people in order to strengthen the Congress's election manifesto. "We will draft the manifesto after taking everybody's suggestion into consideration," he said. On Thursday, he spoke to the members of the labour union representatives of unorganised and organised sectors and said that the main problem was that there was no way that people's power was prevalent in the Parliament. "Our selection of candidate will be completely transparent so that your voice will be heard in the parliament," he said.

Rahul Gandhi interacts with labour union representatives in Delhi on Congress manifesto

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been holding interactive sessions across the country, an attempt to maximise participation from the people in order to strengthen the Congress's election manifesto. "We will draft the manifesto after taking everybody's suggestion into consideration," he said. On Thursday, he spoke to the members of the labour union representatives of unorganised and organised sectors and said that the main problem was that there was no way that people's power was prevalent in the Parliament. "Our selection of candidate will be completely transparent so that your voice will be heard in the parliament," he said.

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.

Rahul Gandhi at Wardha: stresses for the the need to give more power to local leaders part 04

Wardha: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Sewagram in Wardha, Maharashtra and interacted with the representatives of the Panchayat Leaders from across the country to seek their views on the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had made similar interactions at Bangalore, Bhopal and Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi at Wardha: stresses for the the need to give more power to local leaders part 03

Wardha: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Sewagram in Wardha, Maharashtra and interacted with the representatives of the Panchayat Leaders from across the country to seek their views on the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had made similar interactions at Bangalore, Bhopal and Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi at Wardha: stresses for the the need to give more power to local leaders part 02

Wardha: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Sewagram in Wardha, Maharashtra and interacted with the representatives of the Panchayat Leaders from across the country to seek their views on the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had made similar interactions at Bangalore, Bhopal and Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi at Sewagram stresses for the need of empowering local bodies

Rahul Gandhi at Sewagram emphasises on the need to give more power to local leaders
Wardha: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Sewagram in Wardha, Maharashtra and interacted with the representatives of the Panchayat Leaders from across the country to seek their views on the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had made similar interactions at Bangalore, Bhopal and Amethi.
"Earlier the manifesto used to be made behind the closed doors. This time we are making the manifesto after speaking to the people, women, SC/STs and whatever suggestions you give will be included in the manifesto. If our party comes to power, we will implement whatever is there in the manifesto. I thank you all for coming from far distances” he started his opening remarks. He added that the power lies within a handful of people.
“Rajiv Gandhi had talked about telecom revolution. You all are aware of it and I am sure all of you will have your mobile phones in your pockets. There was a time, when MPs only had the quota for telephone connections. It was their discretion to allot telephones and if you don’t know any MP, they it was very difficult to get a phone connection. It was like a monopoly of some selected people. The aam aadmi could not get any connection” recalled Rahul Gandhi and then continued, “How Rajiv Gandhi ji broke this monopoly? He opened up the telecom system for the people. PCOs were opened across the country, in all villages, and that created a revolution. We also must open up the political system, like we did it for telecom. Rajiv Gandhi had a vision to open up the system by Section 73 and 74. He wanted the power to reach grass roots”.
“There is 50% reservation at local bodies for women now. But the Bill to grant 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies are still pending. We cannot reform the political systems without ensuring that the pradhans and local bodies are properly empowered” emphasised the Congress leader.
“We must be successful in three important facts, if we want to call ourselves a super power” said the Congress leader and explained, “Democracy is our greatest strength. We will have to strengthen it further by taking it to the grass root, by empowering the aam aadmi. MPs, MLAs, local bodies must be properly empowered. They must have their rights and powers. Secondly, 50% of India are women. India can only be half-strong, half-proud, half-powerful if we do not empower this 50%. Finally, there must be systematic measures to provide employment to the youth. Without that we cannot become superpower” and the audience welcomed it with loud applauds.
“We will not stop, till we ensure that aam aadmi is empowered” said Rahul Gandhi while concluding his remarks.
The Panchayat leaders spoke about the education system, land mafia and other issues that needed the attention from the Centre. Representatives from the adivasi community, NGOs and gram panchayats were present at the interaction.

Rahul Gandhi at Wardha: stresses for the the need to give more power to local leaders part 01

Wardha: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Sewagram in Wardha, Maharashtra and interacted with the representatives of the Panchayat Leaders from across the country to seek their views on the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Rahul Gandhi had made similar interactions at Bangalore, Bhopal and Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi visits Amethi with Priyanka Gandhi, says Congress does not talk, but act

Rahul Gandhi visits Amethi with Priyanka Gandhi, says Congress does not talk, but act

Amethi (UP): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi on Wednesday. The Congress Vice-President said the Congress does not talk but act.

Rahul Gandhi reached along with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Fursatganj in the evening, walked a little distance on road and met people near the airport. He later invited an old woman to join him as he left the airport with his sister seated in the car behind. The woman, who hailed from Rampur, said Rahul Gandhi had stayed in her house to which the Congress leader, who nodded, said his relationship with her is old. "We don't believe in such things...Our habit is to deliver," said Rahul Gandhi, in a brief chat with newspersons.

"A good ambience is out here in Amethi. I have an old relationship with the people of Amethi.. Amethi is like my home and it is my family", said Rahul Gandhi. He added that the Congress party has done good work for the benefit of thousands of women and also in the development of national highways. Rahul Gandhi, however, admitted that one thing which has been lacking in Amethi is electricity and roads barring national highways. "We have faced difficulties on these issues as these fall under the jurisdiction of the state government," said Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress MP said that despite funds provided by the Centre to the Uttar Pradesh government the development of power sector in the state and in Amethi is not upto the mark. He also said some more developmental works are being executed for which he had come to inaugurate.

Rahul Gandhi announced a 200-bed hospital in Tiloi area, and said that people of the area would get medical facility in a better way after it is complete. The Congress leader said the Centre has done a lot of work in Amethi. "We worked on self-help groups of women, constructed highways. The only shortcoming was that we could not work in the field of power as it is related to the state government and Congress is not in power here," he said.

"To construct the national highways is the work of the Centre, we have constructed them... But constructing other roads is the work of the state. Funds are being sent by the Centre continuously, but it is not being utilised properly” added Rahul Gandhi. "Whether it is employment or the Petroleum Institute, lot many works have been done by the Centre," he said.

After meeting people near the airport, both, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, headed for Jais. They met people on their way. At Akelua crossing some locals met the Congress leader and complained about bad roads. Rahul Gandhi later inaugurated district Congress office at Gauriganj.