United Congress to fight Rajasthan elections

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the party will fight the Rajasthan elections with unity and alleviate the suffering of the people.

Addressing a rally at Sagwara, 450 km from state capital Jaipur, Rahul told scores of people from Vagad region (districts of Banswara and Dungarpur) that there is no infighting in the Rajasthan Congress. “After I saw a photograph of Sachin Pilot driving a bike and AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot sitting on a pillion, it became clear that we (Congress) are winning in Rajasthan. There is no infighting and we will fight elections together.”

Hailing the free medicine scheme launched by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Rahul said, “We will bring more such schemes if the Congress comes to power. Our schemes will benefit all. The Congress had announced railway lines worth ₹2,000 cr to connect the districts of Rajasthan. But the BJP government cancelled this project. We will implement this when we come to power.”

Assuring job creation in future Rahul said, "The Congress government will open the doors of banks to our youth and MSMEs of Rajasthan, who in turn will generate employment. The BJP government’s Make in India scheme has flopped. No one can save the BJP from falling in the state or Centre. Neither Narendra Modi nor his money can assure the BJP victory.”

Targeting Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her ongoing 'Gaurav Yatra', the Congress president said, "The petrol and diesel in the vehicles of the BJP have been bought with the money stolen from the common people. Even the advertisements of the Raje government are paid from money taken from your pockets.”

While striking a chord with women, Rahul also pitched for more women participation in the elections. “I want to see more women candidates in elections because nothing can happen in India without them,” said Rahul in the poll-bound state.

Attempt to regain Tribal vote bank

According to the experts, Rahul's rally in the Vagad region was primarily to woo voters from the tribal background and regain its vote bank. Once considered as the traditional vote bank of the Congress, BJP won 30 seats out of 35 seats in 2013 elections. Whereas in 2008 polls, the Congress won 24 and BJP 9.