Rahul slams opposition over food security bill

Says Oppn creates obstacles whenever the Congress-led UPA govt brings welfare measures

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the opposition of creating hurdles for the food security Bill till it was eventually passed by Parliament.

Addressing a tribal and farmers rally here in Rajasthan, Gandhi said the opposition was creating obstacles whenever the Congress-led UPA government tried to bring welfare measures.

The rally at Salumber came a day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Bharatiya Janata Party rally in Jaipur.

Gandhi said: "There are two views, one of the opposition and the other of the Congress. The opposition wants that infrastructure should be developed - roads and airports should be developed, we also think alike. We say that infrastructure should always be built but people who build it should also be helped. This is the meaning of a government of common man.

"We think that the country will only progress when labourers and people contributing towards development have sufficient food to eat."

The 43-year-old said the Congress wanted to fulfil the dreams of those who toil hard.

"It does not make a difference what the opposition says, we will continue to work for the common man.

"Your fight is our fight and I want to make your dreams come true," he said.

Talking about the food security bill, Gandhi said the opposition tried to stop it "but we went ahead".

"Nobody will sleep hungry. This is the guarantee," Gandhi thundered.

Parliament this month passed the ambitious National Food security Bill that aims to provide cheap food grain to two-thirds of India's 1.2 billion population

Gandhi lauded Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for providing free medicines to poor.

In Rajasthan, at least 600 generic medicines are provided free of cost to both Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line people in government hospitals.

In place of old slogan, "Aadhi roti khayenge Congress ko jitayenge", Gandhi coined a new one: "Poori roti khayenge, 100 din kaam karenge, dawaiee lenge aur Congress ko jitayenge" (Eat full roti, work for 100 days, receive free medicines and vote for Congress).

He said that India is bouquet of diverse flowers. No matter which religion, caste or creed or tribal a person is, his voice should be heard.

He added: "We can crush our personal dreams for realizing the dream of the common man."

Earlier, Gehlot highlighted various social welfare schemes launched by his government.

The Assembly elections are due in Rajasthan this year.