Rahul promises to emulate Chhattisgarh development model in Odisha

Bargarh: Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his Odisha visit today left no stone unturned to impress voters ahead of the General Elections as he promised of emulating the Chhattisgarh development model in the state.

Addressing a public meeting at the Nua Sarsara Ground in Bargarh, Gandhi said, “In Chhattisgarh, we (Congress) had promised to establish food processing units and cold storages near farmlands for development of farmers. We already have initiated works in this regard. Whatever we did in Chhattisgarh, we want to do the same in Odisha for which we need your support and votes in the upcoming polls.”

Coming down heavily on Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, Gandhi said, “Naveen Patnaik had promised of establishment of cold storages, drinking water supply, irrigation facilities and setting up of food processing plants across Odisha. However, he did not do any such thing.”

“As promised by us in Chhattisgarh, our government waived loans of all farmers and provided Rs 2500 per quintal MSP for paddy procurement soon after coming to power,” he added.

Gandhi drew comparison between the Congress Government in Chhattisgarh and Naveen Patnaik-led Government in Odisha saying, “We are unlike others as we keep our promises.”

Launching further attack on Patnaik, Gandhi said, “Youths of Odisha are migrating to other states in search of jobs. Odisha has become the centre of unemployment. What has Naveen Patnaik done towards providing employment to youths?”

He also accused Patnaik of being involved in chit fund & mining scams and said the Chief Minister is remotely controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some bureaucrats are running the state on the behalf of the CM, Gandhi further alleged.

“Narendra Modi and Naveen Patnaik are privatising the education and health sectors. If voted to power, we will spend government’s fund in establishing hospitals and educational institutions,” he said.

He said that there were 1.5 lakh government posts, 30,000 school teacher posts and 5,000 medical staff posts vacant in the state. Gandhi assured that the Congress will fill up the vacancies once the party comes to power in the state.

Terming the Goods and Service Tax (GST) as “Gabbar Singh Tax”, Gandhi said it will be a simple tax after Congress forms the government at the Centre.