Firdaus Khan
Kaladhungi (Uttarakhand). Addressing a well attended rally at Kaladhungi in Uttarakhand as part of his election campaign Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that corruption can be removed only if we connect the common man with the political system. “ corruption can be removed only if the youth and aam aadmi are connected with the democratic political system” asserted Rahul Gandhi.
He also questioned BJP for its double-speak on corruption by saying that BJP, which talks high about curbing corruption, killed the constitutional Lokpal Bill of the Congress-led UPA introduced in the Parliament. “Corruption cannot be curbed by undertaking yatras but only by taking determined measures with a positive intention” he said.
“We brought a strong constitutional Lokpal Bill in the Parliament with an intention to curb corruption. But the BJP killed the bill. The party which undertook yatra against corruption did not want a strong Lokpal with constitutional status. It says that the Constitutional status to the Lokpal, like the Election Commission of India, is the dream of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh” said Rahul Gandhi and informed “It is not only the dream of the Congress but also the dream of the entire youth and aam aadmi in the country”.
“In 2004 you gave mandate for a pro-poor Congress Government in Delhi. We had given only a single promise that a government of aam aadmi which works for poor, farmers, labourers, minorities, youth and we delivered it. While we made a single promise BJP brought out a slogan ‘India Shining’ in English. When asked about the origin of the slogan their senior leader said that they picked it from a Television advertisement. BJP was in power for five years. They never went to the villages, never talked to you or tried to realise your difficulties; but blindly believed that India was shining,” added the Congress General Secretary.
“Without going to the people, we cannot understand their problems. Congress believes in this principle and our political activities are based on this belief. When I go to people and interact with them, they call me a mad” said Rahul Gandhi.
He also explained the various welfare schemes brought about by the Congress-led UPA government at the centre. Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Congress government gave the right for job through MNREGA, Right to Information, Right of Education and also said that it now is in the process of legislation of the Right to Food which ensures that every poor family gets 35 Kg of food-grain.
“When we came to you, you had told us that there are no sufficient jobs available in villages. When we realized this problem we introduced MNREGA to guarantee jobs for all. We ensured that every poor will get minimum of 100 days of work at a daily wages of Rs. 120/-.” he said.
Rahul Gandhi continued “We again came to you. Then the farmers told us that they face hardship as the doors of the banks are closed for them. We immediately took remedial measures in this regard and opened the doors of the banks for them. Further, we framed a policy  to waive off loans worth Rs. 60000 crores to help the farmers.”
Once again taking a jab at BJP Rahul Gandhi said “When we talk about the rights of the people and frame policies for the poor BJP asks us from where we will have the money for the schemes”. He then continued “Let me ask them a question. Why this country is developing? The country has been surging ahead because of the hard work of the poor, farmers and labourers. When our country developed, the Government received money. This is the money of your sweat and blood. If the country is progressing it is because of your efforts, blood and sweat,” said Rahul Gandhi. “We do only one thing. We ensure that the money we received from you reaches back to you. We send thousands of crores of rupees to the states for its progress and development,” he asserted.
“BJP does not ask from where the money is when it loots the funds sent by the Centre meant for the poor. But when we talk about your rights and bring in policies for the welfare of the common man, it asks this question” commented Rahul Gandhi.
Taking on BJP Rahul Gandhi continued “When elections are just three months away, BJP removed Khandoori. Now, BJP here says Uttarakhand needs Khanduri. If it needs Khanduri, why did it remove him earlier?” asked Rahul Gandhi.
“Three months period has got a significant role at present. In Uttarakhand BJP removed its Chief Minister three months before elections. Three months before elections Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh removed about 20 ministers on corruption charges. But where did the sacked Minister Kushwaha go? “ he asked and the crowd roared by saying “BJP”.
The Congress General Secretary further said that the Uttarakhand government thinks only in terms of usurping money sanctioned by the Central Government for various projects. “There are cases of mining scam and scam in the power sector” he said.  The BJP only talks but we believe in action.” added Rahul Gandhi.
Once again referring LK Advani’s rath yatra Rahul Gandhi added “When the corruption cases were brought out in Karnataka, BJP never undertook any yatra. They did not see the corruption in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh. When Mayawati removed her corrupt minister Kushwaha, BJP happily inducted him. Kushwaha had approached Congress too, but we refused to accept him” said Rahul Gandhi. “Whenever we notice corruption, we take immediate action” he argued. “
“The people of the 21st Century are intelligent enough. BJP first talked about shining India. Now it talks loudly about curbing corruption but their own people are indulged in the corrupt practices. People have the intelligence to understand this double standard of BJP”, he commented.
“There are shortcomings in the political system, I agree” admitted Rahul Gandhi but added that we should try to rectify it. “Whenever we notice any such deficiencies, we try to rectify it. We did it in NSUI and Youth Congress also” claimed Rahul Gandhi.
“We could make changes in the functioning of NSUI and Youth Congress not by taking yatras but by conscious efforts. Positive changes can be brought only through hard work and not through yatras. ” he added.
The Congress General Secretary said that the need of the hour is to bring a government that has a long term perspective. “Now the time has come to remove the present BJP Government. You have a Government of aam aadmi in Delhi. Let us have a similar one in Uttarakhand too. Congress designs policies with a long term vision” he said.
Introducing the assembly candidate to the crowd Rahul Gandhi said “Here you have a young candidate of Congress. I have asked him to go to the people and sincerely work for their benefits. I have warned him that If I notice any allegation of corruption, that will be the end of his political career”.
“We do not make hollow promises. We only promise a Government that works for the poor, aam aadmi, dalit, labourers, farmers, downtrodden, minorities and we will deliver it. Vote and elect a Congress Government in Uttarakhand” concluded Rahul Gandhi.