Rahul Gandhi launches campaign in Karnataka

Deviating from the usual BJP bashing AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi emphasised on the pro-poor programme the Congress would take up if elected to power in the forthcoming Lok sabha elections.

Launching the poll campaign in Karnataka by addressing the Bharat Nirman rally at CPEd College ground here on Saturday, Rahul exuded confidence that the Congress would emerge victorious and form the government again.

He said the much awaited Bill on reservation to women in Parliament would be introduced and passed if Congress returned to power.

In his 15- minute speech, Rahul devoted much time to the achievements during Congress rule in the country and said the country's development over the years was due to consistent efforts by the Congress. He cited development of IT/BT and telecom revolution as examples.

Rahul said the Congress always followed the principles of great philisophers and benevolent kings like Ashoka, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi who preached unity and integrity and social quality and justice and accused BJP of divisive politics.

Without naming BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi anytime during his speech, Rahul said the BJP which has been "reeling out series of lies to fool the people had no right to talk about corruption. The BJP does not see corruption in Karnataka during its rule in the state.

It finds corruption only in the places where Congress is in power. The BJP is hampering the proceedings in Parliament whenever the reservation bill is discussed. The BJP is anti-reservation" he ridiculed.

Rahul was repetitive about the sops the Congress would provide to the poor, weaker sections and women if re-elected. He was all praise for Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his programmes and schemes announced in the budget to help the poor and backward classes.

Starting his speech with "Ellarigoo Namaskara" in Kannada, Rahul recalled that Belgaum had historical relation with Congress party and remembered Mahatma Gandhi's visit to the city for Congress party's national convention.

He appealed to the Congress workers to ensure that both Belgaum and Chikkodi Lok sabha constituencies in the district elected Congress nominees.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah listed the achievements of his government in last nine months and said the government had fulfilled around 100 promises out of 169 made in the party's election manifesto.