Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Friday dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claims of bringing development in Chhattisgarh, and said that the saffron outfit is world champion in corruption.
“Chhattisgarh is rich in land, resources but people are poor. The BJP government says state has developed. BJP claims it's doing well. BJP is world champion in corruption. The BJP took away your land in the name of development, did you get enough compensation? But we (Congress) will ensure it is given back to you,” he said while addressing a rally here today in the poll-bound state.
He also expressed anguish over the death of Congress leaders in the state, who were killed by Maoists on May 25, and said that the BJP did nothing to provide justice to those who sacrificed their lives.
“BJP Government here did nothing to provide justice, when the entire Congress leadership was wiped out here,” he said.
“In the 21st century, power should be in the hands of people is what Congress says. BJP believes in centralization of power, it believes that all powers must be with the its Chief Minister,” he added.
He further said that the Congress has introduced many schemes to safeguard the rights of the people.
“Right to Information (RTI) is a powerful weapon against corruption, and Congress made it possible. We brought Food Security for the benefit of the entire country. Land was snatched from poor in Chhattisgarh and given to industrialists. Congress brought the Land Bill,” he said.
“Congress says empower women, empower youth. It is a party, which works for poor, adivasis, dalits. We will return your resources to you. Congress fights as one. It is the party of the common people, of the poor people, of the Adivasis,” he added.
The BJP ruled Chhattisgarh would be the first state to go to polls, in two phases -on November 11 and 19.
Elections to State Assembly in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram would be held on November 25. Elections to State Assembly in Rajasthan would be held on December 1, while elections to State Assemblies in Delhi would be held on December 4.
