Rahul Gandhi assures jobs, free treatment in Chhattisgarh

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday told voters in poll-bound Chhattisgarh that, if voted to power, his party will provide jobs to the youth, free treatment in government hospitals and waive off farmers' loans.

"Chhattisgarh is a rich state - water, land, coal, mineral, it has everything. People of Chhattisgarh saw a dream of development. However, for 15 years the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken all money from the state and given it to few rich businessmen. The BJP leaders and ministers openly robbed the state," Rahul said in an eelction rally at Mahasamund, which will go to polls on November 20.

"Within 10 days after coming into power, the Congress party will waive off the loans of Chhattisgarh farmers. Secondly, you all were told that you will get bonus. Since last two years you have not been getting the same. Not only we will resume this practice, we will also compensate for the bonus of these two years, which BJP failed to do. They talk about MSP. Congress will get you Rs 2,500 for paddy. In every district, every block, the Congress party will put up food processing units. In the same factory, your children will get jobs," he added.

The Nehru-Gandhi scion went on to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only concerned about only 15-20 rich people in the country.

"In Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was jailed as he took money from people and put it into Panama bank accounts. A country like Pakistan jailed him. The son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (Raman Singh) does the same thing, he puts money into Panama account, but no investigation is done on him," Rahul said.

Talking about the controversial Rafale deal, Rahul said, "In Rafale contract, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. Whose money was it? It was the money of people who stood in queues and deposited in banks during demonetisation."

The first phase of assembly elections in Chhattisgarh was held on Monday, the second round is scheduled to take place on November 20, while the results will be declared on December 11.

The Congress party, which ruled Chhattisgarh's first state assembly from 2000 to 2003, is aiming to wrestle back the control of the state from BJP.

-ANI