Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressing villagers in Amethi (Press Trust of India photo)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today visited Jagdishpur, the village he has adopted in his constituency Amethi, to launch a model village scheme. Even though Mr Gandhi, 44, arrived two hours late, he was greeted by an excited crowd which had packed the small venue to see him, with hope and a long list of demands.
But when Mr Gandhi, 44, went on to the stage to speak, he heavily criticized the same scheme that he had come to launch, calling it pointless.
"There are 700 villages in Amethi but I was asked to pick one. My thinking is different. My thinking is that each village of Amethi, each village of the country should be empowered," Mr Gandhi said.
Listing National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (NREGA), Right to Information (RTI) and the food security scheme, he reminded the people that UPA's scheme were always inclusive, meant to "empower all citizens."
He went on to question where the funds for the model village scheme would come from.
"What I haven't understood is where the funds would come from. For development you need funds but tell me where will the money for the 40 things you listed come from?" he questioned.
This left many upset in the village and questioning how as an MP can he not know where the funds will come from. Another angry villager said "We have heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done work in Jayapur, Gadkari in Nagpur so why can't he?"