'Poor must dream big to take India forward': Rahul Gandhi

Baran (Rajasthan), Sep 17 (ANI): Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reached out to the poorer sections of society, and urged them to see bigger dreams for the betterment of the nation.

Addressing a Congress rally in Baran, Rajasthan, Gandhi said the poorest in the country should see the biggest dream.

"Whether he is a small labourer, we say that he should eye the helicopter and one day say that my son should fly this. This is our thinking. And their (opposition) thinking is that the labourers should work the land, not have anything to eat and construct roads," said Gandhi.

"Dreaming big is not the opposition's mantra," he added.

The Congress vice-president further appealed to the women to dream big for their children.

"I would ask the women who have come here to see the world's biggest dream for their children....... So, I am standing here because I believe that you, the poor people and the women, who have come here, are the country's biggest strength. If this country will move ahead, then, it will be do so only with your dreams. And, if we do not allow you to see those dreams, then, this nation cannot move ahead," Gandhi said.

Gandhi, while praising the Congress Party, for coming out with its historic Food Security Bill, accused the opposition of repeatedly creating hurdles to prevent its passage in Parliament.

Gandhi said the 21st century for the Congress Party means that the dreams of the poorest of people in the country must come true.

He pointed out that the major reason for poverty in India is illness.

"We respect your blood and tears, that is why we have brought the Land Acquisition Bill," he said.

Congress leaders Gurudas Kamat, Ashok Gehlot, C.P. Joshi, Jitender Singh and Sachin Pilot and Lal Chand Kataria were present on the occasion.

The poll-bound Rajasthan is expected to witness a fierce battle between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Moreover, the upcoming assembly election in Rajasthan is being seen as a litmus test for both the parties ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)