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This is an archive article published on March 9, 2008

In Orissa, I had to search a ‘village with power’ : Rahul

In a bid to garner support of tribals, dalits & youth ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi vowed to fight for their cause.

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In a bid to garner support of tribals, dalits and youth ahead of Lok Sabha polls due next year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today vowed to fight for their cause and safeguard their rights.

“Though adivasis and dalits are raising their voice against exploitation, there is none to hear. Tribals, youths and dalits must fight for their rights,” he said addressing a public meeting at Bamada, 110 km from here, on the second day of his four-day Orissa visit.

“I am always with you to fight for your cause. If we don’t fight for our rights, no progress can be achieved,” said the Congress general secretary, who embarked on a ‘Discover India’ journey yesterday from Orissa’s poverty-hit tribal belt.

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Stating that he had been fighting against backwardness in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress MP said now he found that Orissa was more backward than Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh.

Gandhi said whenever he visited Amethi, he toured villages during the night to see which place lacked electricity.

“In Orissa, I had to search which village has power supply,” he said.

Rahul had been to a village having 8000 population last night but found only one college student and a lone graduate there.

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There was one school upto 12th standard and another upto 8th standard in the village, he said, adding “the situation is pathetic in Orissa”.

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