Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP government in Chhattisgarh

KANKER/CHHATTISGARH: A day after Narendra Modi lashed out at Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi today attacked the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, accusing it of snatching the rights of people, especially tribals.

Addressing an election rally here, the Congress Vice President said people will see a "miracle" once a Congress government assumes office in Chhattisgarh.

"We talk of rights for youth, tribals, women...but BJP wants to take back the rights. Everyone know what happens to women here. We will take care of women when we come to power," he said.

Gandhi said before the rally, locals told him that there are no teachers in schools. "Where are the teachers, are doctors there in hospitals," he asked slamming the Raman Singh government.

The Congress leader alleged that the state government was furthering the interests of industrialists. "They (industrialists) are taking away your land, your forests," he said.

He said while BJP claims it is a "shining government, all I see is worry. Women are worried."

Gandhi said he was willing to take up their cause in Delhi. But for better results, the state too needs to have a Congress government. "I will fight your battle in Delhi till the end," he said.

He said Congress wants to bring in the government of "aam admi" (common man) in the state. "...then you will see the miracle," he said.

In the first direct attack on Gandhi in recent times, Modi had said she should speak up on coal and 2G spectrum scams and alleged that the Congress was "misleading" the country on issues like development, inflation and employment generation.

Referring to his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, he said nearly 14,000 people have been provided with employment in that state and plans are to provide one lakh more jobs.

He said he wants to replicate the Jammu and Kashmir model in Chhattisgarh.