Rahul takes on BJD govt in Orissa, flays its economic policy

BHUBANESWAR: “Development does not mean economic improvement of industrialists or a few moneyed people. Unfortunately, the lopsided economic policy followed by the Orissa government has resulted in the poor becoming poorer.” The 41-year old maybe-prime minster, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday thundered addressing a public rally at Kotpad in tribal dominated Koraput district. Launching a frontal attack on the ruling Biju Janta Dal, the Congress general secretary, who arrived in Orissa on Wednesday on a two-day trip to the state, appeared quite focused on his mission – consolidation of party’s position in tribal pockets.

Mr Gandhi began his journey addressing a seies of meetings in the tribal belt. Later, he went to Jharsuguda and Baripada in Mayurbhanj district where he assessed the membership drive undertaken by the Orissa Pradesh Youth Congress unit, besides interacting with tribals. “More and more tribals should join politics through which they will be able to solve problems they have been facing since ages,” said Mr Gandhi.

On the contentious Posco steel project issue, Rahul said, “There should not be any injustice to local people.” Criticising the ruling BJD in Orissa, the Congress leader said the state government had failed to pass on the benefits of various welfare measures to the people.” Rahul’s visit is seen as an attempt by the Congress to rejuvenate the party workers for the 2012 panchayat elections.

Western and southern Orissa, which was a stronghold of the BJP, was captured by the Congress in the last 2009 Lok Sabha polls with the party winning all the six seats from the region. Rahul had undertaken vigorous campaign in the region on the eve of the elections.

On Thursday, the Congress leader will address a public rally in the state capital here. . All India Congress Committee general secretary Jagdish Tytler, Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Bhupinder Singh accompanied Mr Gandhi.