Panaji: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi visited Goa on Saturday. He met with the fishermen in the fishing village of Velsao.
Addressing the fishing community, Rahul Gandhi said, “Idea of this program is to speak to you people. I want to hear what is in your heart.”
The Congress leader emphasised that the party wants to safeguard the interest of Goa and protect its environment, “We want to protect your interest. If it doesn’t benefit Goa, we don’t want it to be a coal hub,” Rahul Gandhi said.
He asked to be treated like a “family member” and claimed that he will deliver what he promised. “My creditability is important. [I] will do what I say,” the Congress leader said.
He further claimed that the election manifesto is a “guarantee”, and pointed out that the Congress had waived farm loans in Chhattisgarh, as they had promised.
Rahul Gandhi promised to work towards protecting the environment of Goa and said, “My mother comes here when she is unwell. She takes benefit of your beautiful sea. We are protecting the environment of Goa and India.” The Congress leader further stated that a balance has to drawn between development and environment.
“Be it hotel or everything, a balance [is needed] between development and environment,” Rahul Gandhi said, adding, “Clean environment is your right, [and] duty of government is to protect your right.”
He further claimed that the Congress will work for development of all, adding that the government “must not be in the favour of one or two big businessmen”.
Later, Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to meet senior party leaders from the state. Rahul Gandhi’s visit is significant as the Congress prepares to contest on majority of seats in the upcoming state Legislative Assembly election.
Rahul on crude oil
He pointed out that crude oil prices were much higher when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power and yet, people are forced to pay more now when fuel prices in the international market are lower.
“During the UPA government, international fuel prices reached $140 per barrel. Today, fuel prices are much lower in the international market but still, you pay more. Today India is taxing fuel at the highest rate in the world,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
He pointed out that crude oil prices were much higher when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power and yet, people are forced to pay more now when fuel prices in the international market are lower.
“During the UPA government, international fuel prices reached $140 per barrel. Today, fuel prices are much lower in the international market but still, you pay more. Today India is taxing fuel at the highest rate in the world,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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