BJP WORKS FOR FEW RICH, WE THINK OF POOR, SAYS RAHUL

Morena (MP), Oct. 6: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the ruling BJP of working for the interest of a few rich people and ignoring the farmers and other sections of the society. He also raked up the multi-billion Rafale fighter jet deal with France to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Gandhi said his party will ensure implementation of the tribal rights bill if voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajashthan, which go to polls in November and December.

“If you want to help out the rich, do it..but also help the farmers and other poor sections of the society. If `3 lakh crore of the rich can be written off, then why not give such concessions to farmers and other poor sections of the society?” he asked.

Speaking at an event organised by a tribal organisation, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, he said, “The tribal bill is not a gift, but right of the tribal people. The tribal people must have their rights over land, water and forests.” The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a key piece of forest legislation passed when the Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre.

“If the decision will harm the interests of the poor, I never go ahead with its implementation. On the other hand, the BJP thinks whether its decisions will benefit the rich,” Gandhi said. “The BJP goes ahead with the implementation only if the decision benefits the rich,” he added.

He further told the gathering that he always fulfils the promises he makes to the people. “I am in politics since 2004 and you can check my speeches. Give me one example where I have made promises like depositing `15 lakh in your bank account,” he said.

BJP goes ahead with the implementation only if the decision benefits the rich. — RAHUL GANDHI