Rahul fires 'Mann Ki Baat' salvo at PM Modi

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the people want a government, who will listen to their "Mann Ki Baat".

Addressing an election rally here, the Congress chief said, "We will not speak about our 'Mann Ki Baat.' We want to listen to your (people's) Mann Ki Baat. People want a government who will listen to their Mann Ki Baat."

Making a strong pitch for the state's real development, Gandhi said that outsourcing of jobs will be stopped if his party comes to power in the state. Gandhi told a cheering crowd, "Outsourcing of jobs will be stopped when we come to power."

"Nearly 60,000 posts of teachers and lecturers are lying vacant in the state. We will give what is yours. Instead of working for a few industrialists, the Congress will work for the development of agriculture, education and health in the state." " We will also develop food processing units for farmers in each district and blocks if voted to power where youths will also get jobs," added Rahul.

Promising a "people's government" in Chhattisgarh, Gandhi said that the Congress party would waive off farmers' loans within 10 days of forming the government. "Bonus will be given to farmers for their produce and food processing plants will be set up in all districts where farmers' children will get employment," he said.

Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by accusing him of insulting Congress leaders like Mahendra Karma and Narendra Kumar Patel, who fell to the bullets of Naxals in Chhattisgarh. "Our leaders in Chhattisgarh have made the real sacrifice by standing up against the menace of Naxals and Prime Minister Modi insulted them," he stated.

The Congress president claimed that Anil Ambani was chosen over the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Rafale deal despite HAL having 70 years experience in manufacturing fighter aircraft. He said, "Anil Ambani didn't have the experience. He may not have made even a paper aero plane."

The first phase of Assembly elections of Chhattisgarh polls took place on November 12 in which the voting was held for 18 sensitive seats in Bastar division. The second phase will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.