Opposition wary of facing poverty issue: Rahul Gandhi

Accusing the opposition of shying away from core issues like poverty, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today said his party believed in "taking along all sections of society in nation building".

"While the Congress believes in taking along all sections of the people in nation building and fights poverty as an inclusive growth model, the opposition leaves out the poor in its 'India-shining' concept for the rich," the Congress MP from Amethi said at back-to-back poll meetings in Bokaro's Bermo and Latehar.

"The UPA has proved how to take along the common man on the path of progress by introducing NREGA, waiving loans to farmers and enacting an Act that gave back land to the tribals," Rahul said.

"The UPA, prime minister Manmohan Singh and Soniaji (Sonia Gandhi) have shown their confidence in the common man's power in nation building," he claimed.

Without naming the BJP, he implored the opposition to take a leaf out of a British minister who had recently been 'awestruck' by the power of the people in villages.

"England's minister understood where India's power lies; but not our opposition, as it feels ashamed of picking up poverty as a major issue," Rahul said recalling the Briton's visit to a village along with him.

Narrating how the dignitary was impressed by people's will to work, the Congress leader rued, "But the opposition dubbed it as showing India's poverty".

Reminding how the BJP set off the 2004 Lok Sabha campaign with 'India Shining' slogan disastrously, Rahul ridiculed the main opposition and charged it with not sharing the common man's thoughts.

"I reiterate, while the thoughts and motto of the UPA and the Congress are similar with that of the common man — that is inclusive growth (progress), the opposition is having dual thoughts on that progress — 'India Shining' for the rich and (India) of those reeling under poverty," he said.

The young Gandhi opined that welfare programmes could make long strides if the governments at the Centre and at the States were of the same alliance.

"The Centre sends enough funds under NREGA and loans for the farmers to the states. It is up to the State governments to implement them. Therefore, if you vote for the Congress, then the same governments could work in tandem," claimed Rahul.