BJP plays 'politics for those who have air conditioners': Rahul Gandhi

Criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Madhya Pradesh Government, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the state is faced with the problem of unemployment and lack of progress because those in power play "politics for those who have air conditioners".

Addressing a rally at Rahatgarh, Gandhi said described the BJP as being disconnected from reality, and assured the public that the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress Party would relieve them of their misery as soon as it was voted into power.

"Madhya Pradesh is in this state because of 'India Shining'. What kind of 'India Shining' politics is this? 'India Shining' has not paid heed to Bundelkhand's screams and pangs for progress and development. ...The Government of India is with you; we can hear your screams," Gandhi said.

"The BJP's brand of politics is practiced by certain select individuals. ...When the Congress comes to power here (MP), it will be a government of the common man, of the women, of the Bundelkand youth," he added.

Earlier, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh predicted a Congress victory in Madhya Pradesh by "fighting the elections as one."

Rahul Gandhi, at the beginning of his address, also alluded to a "united Congress" contesting the next elections in Madhya Pradesh.

During his speech, Gandhi also recalled his 2004 visit to Madhya Pradesh where he lived in the rural areas to understand the hardships faced by the poor, and promised the people that the Congress shared their dream of a brighter future for their children.

"I was bitten by 25,000 mosquitoes and had a stomach bug from drinking water in villages. This is good, leaders should know what reality is," Gandhi said.

"The Congress wants that you and your son go in cars, go in planes that politicians go in. This is aam aadmi (common man) politics," he added.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh, likely chief ministerial candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath were also present at the rally.