Firdaus Khan
Maharajganj (Uttar Pradesh). On the fourth day of his tour to Uttar Pradesh Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Mayawati Government for the misuse of the fertilizers and urea sent by the Centre.  “We sent fertilizers to Uttar Pradesh for the farmers but they are being black-marketed in Nepal. As a result the farmers in the state do not get the required fertilizers and urea sent by the Union Government,” he said.
He was addressing a well attended rally at Maharajganj near the UP-Nepal border on the last day of his UP tour as part of the Congress campaign for the upcoming assembly polls. Referring the farmers’ issues Congress General Secretary claimed that the Congress Governments realizes not just the strength of the farmers but also the difficulties faced by them.  “Congress Governments in states like Delhi, Haryana or Andhra Pradesh have been making policies aiming for the welfare of the farmers. They acquire the lands of farmers by paying adequate compensation. But in Uttar Pradesh, BSP Government grabbed the poor farmers’ land in the Ganga and Yamuna Expressways forcibly.  Did not pay proper compensation and sold it to the builders. When the farmers agitated, they were labeled as Naxals,” he argued.
 “In Tappal and Bhatta-Parsaul farmers were assaulted by the BSP Government. Police fired at the agitating farmers when they were merely resisting the wrong and forceful land acquisition. When the farmers asked for the adequate compensation for their own land the government authorities called them Naxals. Mayawati Government gave no justice but only bullets to the farmers,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Lamenting over the poor infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh Rahul Gandhi said that the roads in Uttar Pradesh last only 3 months. The roads are languishing in dilapidated state and are littered with gutters and potholes. Because the funds meant for the roads and other amenities are being diverted to the pockets of ministers and contractors.
 He underlined that the Congress is committed to work for the poor, dalits, adivasis and underprivileged. Elaborating on the flagship programme of the UPA he said that the UPA Government brought in the biggest employment generation scheme called MGNREGA for the benefit of the poor. “All the states welcomed this policy and implemented it at their places. You got to Andhra Pradesh or Kerala you can experience that”. He further added “But you visit the villages in Uttar Pradesh and ask the people regarding MGNREGA. They would admit that they are not getting the job cards properly. Even if they get the job cards the pradhans keep those. The funds allotted under the scheme go to the pockets of ministers and authorities.”
Once again pointing fingers to Mayawati he said that UP Chief Minister says that people in the state will not be benefit by this scheme.  “Mayawati has said that publically also. She may feel that the people of UP do not require such a policy because she does not go to people or bothers to listen to them. She sees the world from the helicopter. In one way what she said is right. The poor people are not benefitted by the scheme in UP. The real beneficiaries are the ministers, contractors and authorities as the money meant for the MGNREGA go to their pockets,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Informing the crowd about the relief package for the bunkars Rahul Gandhi said, “Some of the bunkars came to me and told me their problems. I conveyed it to the Union Government. The government has designed a relief package for the bunkars. But some of the delegates of the bunkars came to me again and said that if the scheme is implemented through the state run Society the money will not reach them. So we changed the entire package and made such a scheme that the money would directly reach the bunkar’s bank account.”
Expressing his confidence in the common man he said “I believe the people in this country have answers to every question. Every poor man wants development. But till your leader comes to you, travel through your roads, stay at your house, shares meal with you and understand the reality the state cannot progress“.
Rahul Gandhi again reminded that the people from UP are forced to go to Mumbai, Delhi and Haryana. The shining metro in Delhi was made by the labours from UP. The roads and buildings in Mumbai were built by them. “Who are reaping the benefits of your labour, the respective states. Without the people of UP Punjab would not have surged ahead in the field of agriculture. But no jobs are available here. How can they get jobs without having proper roads, sufficient electricity and water? If your state and you are not developing, you will have to go to other places like Maharashtra, Punjab and Delhi and you have been doing so. We need better development and infrastructure. We need roads, electricity and sufficient water. Till the time proper roads, electricity and water are not there the industries won’t come in. The state government is not bothered about these,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Referring the present state of affairs in UP Rahul Gandhi said, “Uttar Pradesh is the back bone of our country. There was a time when the state of UP was role model for others. The people of the state played a big role in the freedom struggle movement. But today while all other states surging ahead UP is slipping backward.”
Expressing his concern over the pathetic conditions of the hospitals in U.P “I went to a hospital in UP where some painting and renovation works were going on. I went inside. There were no doctors, patients or nurses. Dogs were scampering inside. I asked them what is going on. They said that Mayawati is on a tour to this area and she will be visiting the hospital and therefore the renovation. As she was expected to take the road route so the roads were being repaired and the hospital building was being painted,” he said. 
Attacking the state government Rahul Gandhi said that in Uttar Pradesh the real problem is the government, not the people. They do not come to you to know your pain. They do not listen to you. The government represents only 10% of the society and it works only for them and the funds for the rest 90% are being looted. So you should not let such things happen in your state”.
Expressing his confidence in the people of Uttar Pradesh Congress youth leader said, “I have full faith in the people of UP. When we have a government of aam aadmi the things will change here as well. Your hands are tied now. The moments your hands are free you can change your state. UP can once again show the path to the others states to emulate.”
Emphasizing the need for a good government Rahul Gandhi said, “you should bring in a government that works for the entire society – all caste and religion, the poor, dalits, adivasis and the underprivileged.  A government that reaches you. Listen to you and understand your problems. You can see Congress Governments in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana or Delhi. We serve the poor in all those states. If a Congress government is formed in UP too, the picture in the state will also change.”
Boosting the confidence of the people Rahul Gandhi said, “you may be thinking that governments will come and go but nothing is going to happen. But you are wrong. Congress will change the state. We will together bring changes in five years. I can give it in writing. ”
“So bring in a Congress Government. Change UP,” urged Rahul Gandhi concluding his speech.