Rahul campaigns in lower Assam for second phase

Even as voters were turning out in large numbers in polling stations on Monday, the ruling Congress launched its campaign for the second phase of polls. 

Voting in the first phase in Assam was held in 65 constituencies.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was in lower Assam and addressed three party rallies where he tried to woo the voters by launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Vijay Mallya issue. 

“Before leaving the country, Mallya had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. When I asked about this meeting to PM Modi in the Parliament he did not respond,” Rahul said while addressing a rally in Goalpara district. 

The Gandhi scion also said that his party is committed to “Make in Assam” initiative to provide employment to more than 10 lakh youths if voted to power once again. 

“Our party is committed to the welfare and development of the poor and the Congress government led by Tarun Gogoi was committed to “Make in Assam” to provide employment to the youth of the state,” Gandhi added.  

Asking people not to vote for the BJP and its allies, Gandhi advised the voters to recall the situation in 2001 before the Congress came to power.

“There was violence and killings all over the state. The Congress with its policy of love and compassion brought about a change to ensure development of the local people,” Gandhi further added.

He also said that it is high time that the ongoing pace of development should be allowed to continue. 

“The Congress brought peace and started the development process in the state leading to a rise in the per capita income, constructing more than 24,000 kms of roads, setting up three new medical colleges and providing scholarships to more than seven lakh students in the state,” Gandhi said in a rally in Abhoyapuri in Bongaigaon district before winding up his visit.