Rahul Gandhi criticised the alliance for focusing on issues of terrorism and money stashed away in Swiss banks while ignoring concerns of the common man.
Accusing the NDA of trying to create a divide between rural and urban India and pitting one community against another, Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the alliance for focusing on issues of terrorism and money stashed away in Swiss banks while "ignoring" concerns of the common man.
"The NDA's belief has been manifested in their earlier slogan of 'India shinning' which talks of two India one for the rich and affluent living in urban areas and another for the poor villagers for which they have no no time to spare," Gandhi said addressing a rally here at Dhalpur.
"Even in the present election they (NDA) are talking big about terrorism and black money stashed in Swiss banks but there is no mention of 'aam admi' (common man), development of villages during campaign," the Congress general secretary said.
Claiming the Congress had always cared for the neglected sections of society, Gandhi said and referred to beneficial programmes like NREGA, loan waivers for farmers and starting of mid-day meal schemes in schools.
"Congress believe that India will shine only when its villages shine and the poor and downtrodden are taken care of by the government," Gandhi said adding this formed core of the Congress ideology.
Accusing the NDA of practising 'divisive' politics, Gandhi pointed to beating of north Indians in Mumbai, targeting of minority Christians in Orissa and saffron brigades assaulting women in Karnataka acting as 'cultural police'.
Persisting with his attack on BJP PM candidate LK Advani for calling the prime minister "weak", Gandhi said after 26/11, Manmohan Singh did not indulge in "tall talk" but worked with determination which forced Pakistan to accept that its soil was used for the Mumbai terrorists attack.
"Today there are relatively lesser terrorists incidents in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Whereas, Advani "blamed" the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the release of dreaded terrorists at Kandahar, he said adding "such denial of role in such a major decision does not make a strong leader."
Rahul was accompanied by veteran state Congress leader Virbhadra Singh, AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai and state party president Kaul Singh Thakur.
Kullu forms part of Mandi Lok Sabha seat from where Virbhadra Singh is in the fray.
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