Firdaus Khan
Targeting the BJP over corruption charges against its leaders, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today asked the opposition party what action it took against those facing such allegations.

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a well-attended rally in Bilaspur as part of his Congress campaign in the poll bound Himachal Pradesh, launched a frontal attack on the BJP for halting every welfare policies and reforms agenda initiated by the Congress led UPA Government at the centre. While giving credit to the central government for working in the best interest of the aam admi, the young Congress leader also said that the Centre's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail will help farmers prosper.

“BJP tries to halt all our welfare programmes, whether it is right to food, right to education, right to information or MNREGA” said the AICC General Secretary. Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a well-attended rally in Bilaspur as part of his Congress campaign in the poll bound Himachal Pradesh, launched a frontal attack on the BJP for halting every welfare policies and reforms agenda initiated by the Congress led UPA Government at the centre. While giving credit to the central government for working in the best interest of the aam admi, the young Congress leader also said that the Centre's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail will help farmers prosper. “BJP tries to halt all our welfare programmes, whether it is right to food, right to education, right to information or MNREGA” said the AICC General Secretary.

Reiterating that the FDI in retail policy will help the farmers, Rahul Gandhi said “We realize the problems of the farmers as well as their strength. They shed their blood and sweat for the development of our nation. They should be able to avail all the benefits and facilities like cold storages. It is with this intention the Congress government allowed FDI in retail. The FDI is for the benefit of the farmers and they can ensure proper prices for their crops. But the BJP simply obstructed the policy.  In fact they supported the FDI when they were in power. But now they raise objections only because we, the Congress, brought it”.

Taking on the BJP for their double stance on corruption, Rahul Gandhi said “BJP cries loud against corruption. Just ask them who brought the RTI legislation? Ask them who stalled the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha? It was the BJP who stopped the passage of the Lokpal Bill.  Whenever we see corruption, we take strong action against the culprits. There are serious corruption charges against BJP leaders also” and asked “Did they (BJP) take any action?” “They did not utter even a word” he added.
Rahul Gandhi then struck an emotional chord with the youth and said “The country needs more participation from the youth to surge ahead. As long as you remain out of the system, as long as the new generation does not come in politics, this system cannot change.  So it is your responsibility to stand up and join politics to cleanse the system”.  The Congress leader also used the occasion to exhort the women to join politics by saying “Wherever there is development, there are women in active politics. So I request the women to be vigilant enough and be active in politics for ensuring faster development of our nation”.

While concluding his speech Rahul Gandhi requested the voters to support Congress and elect Congress candidates for a better and developed Himachal Pradesh.