Rahul Gandhi questions BJP's development pitch, says MP is 'University of corruption'

Questioning the development done by the Shivraj Singh-Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Madhya Pradesh is the University of corruption.

"Madhya Pradesh is the school of corruption, the university of corruption," he said, while addressing a Congress rally here.

Gandhi said there is no employment in Madhya Pradesh.

"The factories, which were functioning here, were also shut down. They (BJP) have a habit of signing MoUs. How many people here have got employment through MoUs?" he asked.

Gandhi said the state government talks about constructing roads, but never about improving the lot of people who walk on those roads.

He said that respect for people is more important than development.

"If there is no respect for people, in reality there is no development. The Madhya Pradesh Government does not respect its people," he added.

The Congress number two further said the country can't progress until youth of this nation enters politics

"People in power in Madhya Pradesh stop youth from entering assemblies and parliament," he added.

Gandhi, who was accompanied by Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kamal Nath and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, assured the gathering that if his party comes to power in the state then the people in Madhya Pradesh will certainly be respected

Addressing a rally in Shahdol earlier this afternoon, Gandhi promised development and growth for all, in particular the tribals. He said the hunger in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Madhya Pradesh is same as in Africa.

Gandhi said there can be no development when there is hunger. Highlighting the UPA's flagship Food Security Bill, Gandhi said that the Congress Party understands the hunger of the common man.

He will be visiting Datia later today to meet those admitted to the hospital after being injured in Sunday's stampede at Ratangarh Temple.

The stampede at the Ratangarh Temple on the last day of the Navratras has put the Madhya Pradesh Government on the back foot.

The Navratra festivities ended in tragedy earlier on Sunday when several pilgrims, including women and children, were killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede on a bridge leading to the historic Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district.