Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing an election rally in Korba, Chhattisgarh. (Photo/Twitter@INCIndia)
Accusing Chhattisgarh's Raman Singh government of destroying the state in its 15-year-rule, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday blamed PM Narendra Modi of turning a blind eye towards the rampant corruption in the state.
Addressing a rally in Korba for the second phase of polling in the state, Rahul Gandhi said Chhattisgarh was among the richest in the country in terms of water, forest, mines and minerals, but people of the region have remained poor due to policies of BJP government.
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Accusing the Raman Singh government of being involved in corruption, Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not uttered a word about corruption in Chhattisgarh. "People of the state have suffered because of this," he alleged.
"I do politics for the rights of poor, farmers and youth. I will not protect 10-15 industrialists at their cost," he added.
Invoking his family ties with the state, the Congress chief said the relationship was of love and not politics.
He claimed that lands of locals in this part of the tribal-dominated state were taken away to set up industries. But when the units were not set up, the lands were not returned to the people.
"The Congress will install a people's government in the state which will empower farmers, small and medium businesses and provide employment to the youth," Rahul Gandhi said.
He said if the Congress came to power in the state, it would enforce the Land Acquisition Act and facilitate loan waiver for farmers, besides providing them bonus and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
Polling for the second phase in 72 seats, out of the total 90-member Assembly, will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on December 11.
