Asha worker gives RaGa ‘strongest’ handshake

Dharampur: The Asha workers, who have been agitating against the state government to demand minimum wages and perks, were an elated lot as Rahul Gandhi crossed over the barricade to spend time with them and understand their problems.

In fact, after shaking hands with Kailashben, an Asha worker from Valsad, he commented, "I shake hands with thousands. But Kailashben's handshake was the strongest I have seen. This is your strength."

He met Chandrika Solanki, president of the women's wing of the Contract and Fixed Salary Struggles Committee that is spearheading statewide agitation demanding equal pay and equal rights and large number of other workers from Valsad district in Malanpada village near Dharampur.

Susmita Dev, president of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) women's wing and MP, promised to raise Asha workers' issue in the winter session of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Solanki told reporters that she had come to meet Gandhi on his invitation but has no plan to join the Congress. "I have only come to raise the issues of Asha workers," she said.tnn