In the tribal-belt of Chhattisgarh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi clubbed the party’s Adivasi agenda with the issue of unemployment and asked the people not to trust the BJP for it had not fulfilled its poll promise to provide one crore jobs each year.In Bastar for the first time after the formation of the state, Sonia traced the role of Indira Gandhi and her husband Rajiv in the upliftment of the Adivasis, Dalits and the backwards. ‘‘Twenty-point programmes, special component, tribal sub-plans were started by Indira Gandhi and later Rajivji followed it up with special schemes for welfare of the tribals and backwards. Even the SC/ST Act was enacted to protect them from atrocities. I would like to maintain the same relations with you (Adivasis) and carry forward Indira and Rajiv’s agenda,’’ she declared.Clearly with her eyes on the elections, Sonia tried to market the Congress brand, promising development, upliftment of Adivasis-Dalits and backwards and cautioning the people against the BJP’s deceptive postures.’’‘‘Before every election, the BJP raises emotional issues and makes all sorts of promises. They must have started it here. Don’t trust them or fall in their trap,’’ she counselled.Speaking at the rally, Sonia also made a reference to the Congress’ recent victory in Himachal Pradesh saying: ‘‘People have started returning to the Congress. It’s a victory of Congress’ policies and ideology.’’On how the BJP forgets its poll promises, Sonia said the party promised to provide one crore jobs every year. ‘‘Can you imagine 68 lakh youth are deprived of job opportunities each year but there has been a 2.2 per cent increase in job avenues in the Congress-ruled states,’’ she claimed.‘‘To ensure that the Congress governments implement their manifestos and fulfill their promises, I periodically review the progress with CMs. This is the kind of governance we provide and we have our government in 15 states now.’’ Sonia also charged the BJP with being anti-people, anti-mazdoor and anti-farmer.In Jagdalpur, where the BJP also began its two-day state executive meeting, the Congress tried to overshadow the BJP event by mobilising a 20,000-strong crowd for the rally. And CM Ajit Jogi used the occasion to woo tribals announcing three new welfare schemes for the Adivasi children.Sonia later addressed another rally at Ambikapur in Sarguja district. She is scheduled to be here for next two rallies at Bilaspur and Bhillai on June 4.
