Shikaripara/Godda: As Jharkhand assembly elections enters into its last phase the star campaigners of the party are taking turns to visit the mineral rich state.
Shikaripara and Godda constituencies of the state are among the 16 going to polls in the fifth and final phase on December 20. Days before the polls, Congress party vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday visited both the constituencies to address rallies.
Gandhi on the occasion said that farmers, tribals and women of Jharkhand must be empowered for the state to develop, adding that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a difference of opinion over what method was best to take the state forward. Taking a dig at PM Narendra Modi on his ‘achhe din’ slogan, Gandhi said when good days will come and questioned why he never talks about empowerment of women and farmers.
Rahul further said that it has been seven months since formation of the government but we are still wondering when the good days will come, Rahul asked rallies at Shikaripara and Godda.
“Good days have come only for four/five businessmen, who are Modi’s friends,” he alleged and accused the Centre of intending to do away with MGNREGA that guarantees 100 days of employment per year to the poor.
“Unless we give rights to people and empower them, a state like Jharkhand cannot move forward,” he added.
Addressing a rally here earlier, the Gandhi scion accused the ruling government at the Centre of being pro-industrialist.
“They only want to work for a few industrialists because they are the ones who fund their campaigns,” he said. “BJP ruled Jharkhand for ten years but the state remained under-developed,” the AICC leader said.
Rahul promised, if voted to power, the Congress would increase the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly to 140 seats.
The final phase of the five-phased assembly elections in Jharkhand will take place on December 20, with the counting of the votes scheduled to take place on December 23.