B. R Hills (Karnataka), Mar 25: Following his breakfast with tribals in the BR Hills area of Karnataka, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi spent some more time with dalits and tribals on the first day of his five-day road show in the state.

He used the opportunity of the interaction to attack critics of the farm loan waiver scheme announced by the UPA Government during this year’s Budget proposals for next fiscal.

He commended the efforts of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in listening to the voice of the poor.

He also said English education can transform a person and give him or her better opportunities.

On his maiden official visit to Karnataka ahead of the State Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi spoke about economics, governance and in a subtle way came down on the opposition NDA.

He said this government (UPA Government) had put in an effort of balancing towards the poor and not towards the rich.

In a gesture, he had lunch with tribal children at the Vivekananda Kendra.

In another function, the tribals gave a memorandum asking him to sort out many issues relating to the forest dwellers act.

He expressed gratitude to the tribal for preserving and protecting the forests for years and called upon them to protect knowledge.

Gandhi will be in Karnataka from March 25 to 28. (ANI)