Our total focus is on eradication of poverty: Rahul Gandhi

By ENN, Ranchi(Jharkhand): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while interacting with the media in Ranchi said that he interacts and listens to common people because he wants to understand their problem. He said, "I go to poor people's house, I go to universities, colleges and cities. I have talked to a police constable in this city; I want to understand their problem. Sitting at my house I can't understand them." He further said that the media and opposition have created discrimination that whenever I go to a poor man's house ; some people find it objectionable which I am unable to understand. In my view, they are not poor people; they are simply a human being for me who didn't get the opportunity.

Congress General Secretary said, "There is only one difference between the rich and the poor; and that difference is of getting opportunities. A rich person has got opportunity while a poor has not. So, I go to villages, universities and want to meet as much people as possible. I want to understand their problems."

Speaking on the price rise of the commodities he said that state governments do have some role in it. "Sometimes it increases, sometimes it decreases and it is a cycle. The central government tries its best to provide a helping hand to the poor. Our biggest programme the Employment Guarantee Scheme provides 100-days employment to the poor. We have taken many steps in this direction; we waived the loan of farmers worth Rs 60,000 crores. So, ours is a government of aam aadmi. Our whole thought process, our ideology is for the aam aadmi; and we work for the aam aadmi.

Replying to a query of his revolutionary work plan whenever he becomes the Prime Minister, he said, "This is a hypothetical question. India has a very capable Prime Minister whose name is Dr Manmohan Singh. He is running the country very well."

Talking on the corruption in NREGA programme he said, "Such type of statements are of sweeping nature; especially in a state having least corruption in this programme. You can look at Rajasthan, Andhtra Pradesh and other state, where this work is going smoothly. Though, there are states where this is not being run properly; but if you look at the overall picture it is running smoothly where the state government wants it to run. So, this depends upon state government. The role of central government is that; it designs the programme and sends fund for it. But the fact is that, NREGA has, for the first time, created a minimum wage in this country; it has created a floor and benefited millions." He further said, "This programme is run properly where Congress governments are in power; because we have a focus on it. You go to the villages and ask the people which programme is benefiting them most."