India owes its growth to 60 years of Congress rule: Rahul Gandhi

Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated statement on the Congress not giving an account of its rule in the country, party vice president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said the country owed its growth to the Congress rule of 60 years.

Addressing election rallies in Haryana's Ferozpur Jhirka (Mewat district), Rewari and Gannaur (Sonipat district) Thursday, Rahul lashed out at Modi for saying repeatedly that the Congress had not done anything for the country in the 60 years of its rule.

"It is the BJP which has failed to fulfil its promises of heralding 'Achhe din' for the country. India owes its growth and progress and its name in the international arena to the Congress government in the country," Rahul said while countering Modi's statements.

"No one talked about India before, but today in technology and youth power and all round development, India has made a name for itself. All these developments in the country have been brought about by people like you," he said.

Ridiculing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi for questioning others, Rahul said: "Instead of fulfilling their pre-Lok Sabha (election) promises, the BJP asked people to take kadvi ghoont (bitter drink)."

He said Haryana had progressed only under the Congress rule and was a leading state in the country.

He said the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government in the state had initiated several welfare steps for all sections of society, especially farmers, youth and poor.

"Haryana has not just contributed a great deal to the nation through its soldiers and farmers, but the pahalwans (wrestlers) of the nation too have brought laurels to the country by winning medals in international meets like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics," he said.