Congress will strive to make Mangalore world renowned: Rahul Gandhi
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Meryick D'Silva / Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
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Mangalore, Apr 4: AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday April 4 said that just as Bangalore has made a name for itself throughout the world, Mangalore too should be known the world over in field like IT development, and Congress will work towards this goal with support of the people of the city.
Addressing a rally at Nehru Maidan amidst thousands of supporters and the general public, Rahul said, "Karnataka is a developed state. There is no other state that has developed as much as Karnataka. You (people) and Congress have strived for long years to bring Karnataka to this level. Devaraj Urs brought social revolution and social justice, and successive Congress governments brought about advancement in technology and education particularly in Mangalore. Because of your efforts and that of Congress, Karnataka was able to stand on its own feet. The advancement was so much that Bangalore made a name for itself throughout the world.
"Mangalore is known for education - you have potention and capability. I want to see Mangalore be known throughout the world just as Bangalore and that can happen with Congress and your support. Whenever they speak of IT in America or Europe, names of two cities should come up - Bangalore and Mangalore. You can do it easily as you have youth power, there is infrastructure and knowledge base. Congress leaders will also work towards this goal," Rahul said to a loud cheer from the crowd.
Attacking the BJP, he said, "Several Congress governments came to power in Karnataka, and each government has something positive to give. And when Karnataka became strong, BJP came. They too had something to give, in terms of setting record for corruption. With Yeddyurappa, for the first time a CM went to jail. They claim to be protectors of Hindus, but their CM was found in jail. That is what BJP contributed to this state. BJP leaders proclaim that they are against corruption, that they are fighting corruption. Then they come to Karnataka and share the dais with Yeddyurappa. At that time they do not remember corruption. They go to Madhya Pradesh known for mining mafia and then Chhattisgarh which has sand and mining mafia, and then to Gujarat where two-three ministers have gone to jail. But they see corruption only in Congress-ruled states. They should go to Bellary and see who has stolen what."
He said there is a major difference between the idea of progress as envisioned by the Congress and that of BJP. "We do not want people to fight among themselves. But BJP plays politics of hate. They want Muslims to fight with Hindus, Hindus to fight with Christians, Karnataka to fight with Maharashtra and Maharashtra against UP. This not our policy. We believe in brotherhood, in equality - we will fight communal forces and defeat them.
"They (BJP) speak of getting rid of Congress party. But let me tell you, Congress is not a party, it is a thought, an ideology where all are considered equals and all coexist peacefully. Only then can progress be possible. A principle cannot be defeated," he said.
Speaking on development, he said, "In the last 10 years we have achieved lot of progress. We have built three times more roads then the BJP. We have opened colleges and universities and strived for inclusive growth. Development is not only about the rich, where the poor are left behind neglected. We brought in MNREGA, food security for every person, RTI where you can ask any question and know what is happening in the government, and the Lokpal Bill which the BJP tried to stop. We proposed reservation of 33 percent for women in the parliament, but BJP opposed it. We have given 50 percent reservation for women in our panchayats. If we come to power again, we will given 33 percent reservation for women in the parliament.
"We want power to be in the hands of every person, but BJP wants power only for one individual. They call him (Modi) the chowkidar (guard) of the country, but I say we have many chowkidars but hey need to be given power. We want everyone to become guardians this country," he added.
On the primaries (internal election) introduced by the Congress this time, he said, "Earlier, just two-three people would choose the candidate, but for the first time we asked our Congress units at the local levels who they want as their candidates, and thus we gave you Janardhan Poojary. So you have to support him and make him win."
He further said, "In the last ten years we have uplifted 15 crore people from poverty. There are 70 crore people who are above BPL but below middle class, like auto rickshaw drivers, labourers, taxi drivers and so on. We want the India of the future to be theirs. We want to bring them into the middle class category. We will do it through education. Today universities and colleges are closed for them. Their children are deprived of higher education. We will open universities and colleges for them and bring in a revolution.
"We brought MNREGA, food security and now our focus is on health. We aim to provide free medicines and medical facilities to the poor so that every person has access to healthcare. Every person should get pension and concrete houses," he added.
Addressing the youth, he said, "For the youth, we have special plans. From Delhi to Mumbai to Chennai and Bangalore, and from Delhi to Kolkata, we are setting up an industrial corridor, where we will provide power, water and good roads. We will bring thousands of big industries here which will provide employment to youth. Mangalore and Bangalore will be benefited from this project and our youth will achieve progress."
Attacking the BJP again he said, "BJP is making everyone fight. If you ask them what are their plans, they have no answer. They make grand speeches but have no plans for improving education, healthcare or development. We have given you a manifesto that was prepared after asking people's opinions. We asked five lac people what they want, and we have given whatever you have asked for. Support Congress for inclusive growth. There will be no conflicts and India will progress."
In final appeal, he said, "In Mangalore you made Congress win. Thank you for bringing the party to power in the state. Now you have to make us win at the national level. If Congress come to power at the centre, Karnataka will develop at a fast pace. Women and youth will get empowerment and we will bring Karnataka back on the track of development."
Chief minister Siddaramaiah attacked the BJP and said that despite having senior leaders like Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, L K Advani, Arun Jaitely and many others, the BJP has chosen Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate as Modi is a 'hardcore RSS' through whom it can realize its 'communal agenda' for the nation.
"But try as much they (BJP) want, let them spend as much money as they can or get support from corporates, Modi will never become the PM, because people will not accept a communal man as their PM. They keep saying Modi wave is everywhere. I have travelled across the state and I can say that there is no Modi wave. BJP says it is strong in the coastal region, but it is not. There would not have been such a big crowd here if that was true.
"Last time Modi came to Mangalore and gave a big speech, but still we won seven out of the eight seats. Modi will come again (to Karnataka) for second time this year. He keeps coming to Karnataka because the BJP in the state has no face to show. When BJP was in power Yeddyurappa went to jail, creating history by becoming first CM here to go to jail. They (BJP leaders) were caught in corruption and immorality, but Congress never did such things. RSS says Hindu culture should be saved - is watching blue film in the assembly their culture?" he said, referring to former BJP ministers Krishna Palemar, Laxman Savadi and C C Patil who were caught watching porn in Assembly in 2012.
He expressed confidence of Rahul Gandhi becoming the next Prime Minister and urged people to vote for Congress and support their candidate Janardhan Poojary.
Prior to the event a Congress rally led by Janardhan Poojary was taken out from the party office to Nehru Maidan.
Earlier Update
Rahul Gandhi arrives at Nehru Maidan amidst sea of supporters
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Update: 5.30 pm
Mangalore, Apr 4: AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi arrived at Nehru Maidan on Friday April 4 amidst loud cheering from thousands of Congress supporters and public in general.
He landed at Mangalore airport and made his way to the venue accompanied by a convoy of party leaders and security personnel.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in the city after addressing a rally at Bellary earlier in the afternoon.
He was giving a guard of honour by Congress Seva Dal as soon as he arrived at the venue.
He is accompanied by chief minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dr Parameshwar and other leaders.
Dr Parameshwar delivered the welcome address, wherein he said that BJP has no moral right to speak on corruption when it has leaders like B S Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar. He urged people to vote for Congress and for its Lok Sabha candidate Janardhan Poojary, and said it is important to bring Congress to power to 'save democracy'. He also said that these elections are very important for Congress, especially in the coastal region.
First Update
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 4: All roads lead to Nehru Maidan here on Friday April 4 as crowds wait in anticipation for AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to arrive and address them.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive in the city at 5.10 pm, less than 20 minutes from now.
Rahul will be arriving from Bellary, where he addressed a rally earlier in the afternoon.
Crowds started trickling in at the venue right from early afternoon.
Tight security has been deployed and strict traffic regulations are in place.
Congress leaders like Lok Sabha candidate Janardhan Poojary, Oscar Fernandes, U T Khadar, Ramanath Rai, Ivan D'Souza, Mohuiddin Bava, J R Lobo, Shakuntala Shetty, Pramod Madhwaraj, Vinaykumar Sorake, Manjunath Bhandary and others are already at the venue along with a big crowd of supporters.