"Our first task on coming to power would be to give reservation to women in the state assemblies and Lok Sabha," Gandhi said, adding that 2,000 women-run police stations would be set up in the country while 25 per cent women would be inducted into the police force.
Pointing out that the UPA government was providing cheaper loans to women, he said it wanted to continue the policy so that more women could benefit. "India cannot progress without women."
Gandhi said the state government did not do justice to the people of Malda which had a lot of potential for mango and jute.
"A food processing plant should have been set up here," he said.
Gandhi promised that in the event of being elected to power, the Congress would provide free shelter, free medicine and health care and pension for the poor. Accusing BJP and the NDA of waging a divide between Hindus and Muslims and those from Maharashtra with people Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he said that development was stalled if there was a division.
"We unite all. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, all should feel that this is our country and we have a place here. We want all to be a part of the development," Gandhi said, adding that the UPA government had formed a ministry for the minorities.
