This is a government of aam aadmi: Rahul Gandhi

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally in Firozabad(UP) in support of Congress candidate Raj Babbar said that the UPA has ensured a government of aam aadmi at the centre. “This is a government of the poor, Dalits, backward and the tribals,” he said. He was addressing a rally at P D Jain Inter College ground in Firozabad where there is a by- election for the Lok Sabha to be held on November 7, 2009.

Congress General Secretary said, “The Idea behind the aam aadmi was to build one India providing equal opportunities for all. If we look at India today, there have been two Indias created over the years. One India is that of big people and the rich which is shining and other India is yours, mines and that of the poor, Tribal, farmers and Dalits. My view is that if this country has to move forward, it has to move together. So, in 2004 we formed a government for aam aadmi as we knew that it is the poor who faces most of the difficulties . They face problem in getting education and other facilities.”

He further said that the UPA government has been trying to do a lot for the farmers and the poor of this country. “Our government waived the loan of farmers worth Rs 60,000 crores. It is the farmer who produces food for us. But one of the then Chief Ministers of the NDA had said that we don’t need farmers at all; we have got the computers and call centers. Everyone eats the food grown by the farmers; you, me and everyone. But it is an irony that they still forget the farmer,” he said.

Talking about the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme he said, “First time in India, the government has ensured employment guarantee for every villager, no matter which caste or community he belongs to. Our government has ensured that every needy person gets 100-day employment throughout the year.” Talking about his frequent visits to the remote villages and its criticism by the opposition he said, “They ask me why I go and meet poor villagers or tribals. I go there as I know that the strength of India lies in the villages and its people. I want to understand them. I want to understand their problems.”