Bihar in reverse gear of development: Rahul Gandhi
Saharsa, Bihar, Sept 4 : Alleging massive corruption in the Bihar government, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Bihar was still in the ?reverse gear? with regards to development.
Addressing a massive rally here as part of the party?s Assembly election campaign, Rahul lambasted the Nitish Kumar-led state government for its alleged failure to ensure development of the state.
?If you look at states, there are many which are progressing rapidly like Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Andhra. Then there are some which are in reverse gear like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which are the biggest in this category. They’re the same as they were 25 years ago,? he said, also taking a dig at Uttar Pradesh?s Mayawati.
?They (Nitish Kumar and his government)) say they have brought development in Bihar. If that is so, then why are your people going to Delhi, Haryana, Punjab?? questioned the young MP.
Referring to the anti-north Indians campaign in Mumbai, Rahul said, ?When I go to Mumbai, Thackeray says to get people of Bihar out of here. When you are thrown out of there, does your government say anything to them? Does it fight for you??
Claiming that the state government had failed in utilizing the funds send by the Centre for development, he said, ?Money goes to Bihar but it doesn’t reach the villages, it gets lost in corruption. Crores are sent. It reaches Patna, Lucknow but vanishes from there.?
Urging the new generation to support the Congress, the Gandhi family scion said, ?In Bihar, we want a government of the youth, of the new generation. We will not back down. We will work, and fight for the people. We will bring change here.?
?Only the youth can bring development. The previous generation has shown what they can do. I am with you,? he added.
Alleging double standards by Nitish Kumar with regards to his relations with BJP leader Narendra Modi, Rahul said Kumar was busy shaking hands with Modi after winning the Bihar elections, though he (Kumar) had earlier maintained that he would have nothing to do with Modi.