Rahul on campaign trail, says Modi just does PR

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the Narendra Modi government for indulging in “personal PR” and doing little for the poor in the city.

He added that “there is favouritism with three to four corporate houses being favoured” and no significant work has been achieved so far.

“The main issue, as far as the Congress is concerned, is the poor of the city. The party’s agenda is to provide electricity and water at subsidised rates, make all contractual labourers permanent and provide shelter to the poor of the city,” said Rahul, addressing a press conference.

Dismissing the Aam Aadmi Party as a contender in the upcoming elections, Gandhi said, “The Congress will make a comeback holding the hands of the poor”.

Smartphones went up in the air in the dingy lanes of Govindpuri as Rahul went campaigning in an open mini-truck at 3.30 pm in Kalkaji constituency.

He was accompanied by Arvinder Singh Lovely, Ajay Maken, Subhash Chopra — the three-time MLA from the seat who lost the last Assembly elections — and Sharmistha Mukherjee who has been fielded from the Greater Kailash seat.

People were seen warming up to attend the roadshow with women lining up the stairs at 1.30 pm and children as young as three years moving around with Congress flags and placards. The rally which started from Rajiv Gandhi Colony passed through several transit camps before winding up near a park in Govindpuri.

Party leaders were seen giving last-minute instructions to supporters on how to create the “pro-Congress” mood once “Rahulji’s truck” comes in the vicinity.

Loudspeakers, meanwhile, screamed out jingles rounding up the work accomplished by three-time winner from the constituency Subhash Chopra. Chopra had lost to BJP-ally Shiromani Akali Dal Harmeet Singh during the December 2013 Assembly Elections.

To regain vote share
Tuesday’s roadshow was seen as an attempt by the Congress to regain the party’s vote share of the poor in the transit camps of Kalkaji Extension.

At a time when the Congress is promising “the right to shelter to every poor”, the promise made by the Sheila Dikshit government to provide flats to the slum dwellers at the same location still remains pending in the neglected areas of Kalkaji.

Even though slum dwellers came out in scores to catch a glimpse of “Rajivji’s son”, few believed that his coming for campaigning here would fast-track their occupying these flats.

As Rahul’s vehicle moved through the narrow lanes of Rajiv Gandhi Colony passing by clogged drainages and open dumpyards waving to voters, people wondered if this would improve any living condition in the area.

While residents showered rose petals from the balconies, few in Govindpuri were seen ready with cameras.

“I do not have any hope pinned on the flats promised. But yes, all of us are excited to catch a glimpse of Rahulji,” said Afsari Begam, a resident of Navjiwan Camp.

Rashida, who wanted to voice her concerns about the area to the Congress scion, was disappointed that it was only a “whirlwind rally”. She had expected the leader to interact with the slum dwellers.

Indrawati, resident of Bhoomihen camp, was in fact surprised why Rahul is suddenly visiting the area.

“We have always voted for the Congress. But big leaders do not come here. Congress workers in the area said the houses promised will be ready soon. But I doubt it.”

For 18-year-old Sarvan Das, who has come to the city from Samastipur in Bihar three months back and works as a day labourer here, seeing Rahul Gandhi was a “dream come true”.
DH News Service