MUMBAI - Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday urged the people of Maharashtra to vote for his party in the Oct 13 assembly elections for better governance.

Addressing a huge election rally at Panvel in adjacent Raigad district, Gandhi said that the past five years of Congress rule in India and 10 years in Maharashtra had ensured that the fruits of development went to the common man.

“We have fulfilled our promises. We have to look ahead and do more for the poor people of the country, especially those in rural areas,” Gandhi said, kicking off his election rally in the state.

He said while nearly half the country was progressing steadily, the other half needed to catch up.

“We shall strive to bring the benefits of development to all, not to just a select few. Whatever the country earns, it will be ploughed back for the progress of the poor by way of education, health and employment,” he said.

The son of Congress president Sonia Gandhi referred to the employment guarantee scheme that he said had benefited many unemployed people in the country and also the waiver of farmland debts.

Gandhi said that the Congress’ philosophy was “aam aadmi” (common man) — and it considered each individual as the country’s strength.

“Just as cities are progressing, the villages must also progress and join the national mainstream,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that with his vision and policies, Rahul Gandhi had given a new direction to the people of the country.