Firdaus Khan
Hargaon, Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh). At Hargaon, Sitapur addressing a huge rally All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that he has come to UP not for the votes but to bring about positive changes in the state.  He avowed that he will not leave the state until then. Kick starting the third phase of Congress campaign in the state he promised that the party, if given a chance, will again lead Uttar Pradesh back to development. Speaking at the rally he criticized the Mayawati Government for plundering public funds.
Congress General Secretary started his address by referring to the party’s promise of a government of aam aadmi during the campaign for 2004 Lok Shabha elections. “Political parties brought out slogans like India Shining. When those who had made the slogan were asked about its origin they said that they saw it in a television advertisement. They decided that India is shining while sitting inside their big bungalows. They did not go to the people or talk to them. India cannot shine if we do not have proper roads, adequate electricity and sufficient water. While other parties made a number of hollow promises we promised a government that works for aam aadmi, poor, minorities, dalits and adivasis. The people gave mandate by electing an aam aadmi government of the Congress,” he said taking a swipe at opposition.
He spoke at length of the various welfare policies taken by the Congress-led UPA government at the centre. He asserted that it was the Congress that talked about the rights of the people. He also added that the Congress Government brought in the right to employment under guarantee to work through MGNREGA, the right to get information under the Right to Information, education for all under the Right of Education along with free mid-day meals as additional incentive to the children and now is in the process of legislation of the Right to Food by providing food at subsidized rates for the poor. “The biggest concern is poverty. We cannot progress if we do not eradicate poverty. The Congress is committed to wipe it out,” he asserted.
“We found that no jobs are available in the villages. So the first thing we did was that the implementation of MGNREGA to guarantee jobs for all. Through MGNREGA, the biggest employment generation scheme, poor are assured of jobs if they intend to work. Through this scheme poor are assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year and a daily wage of Rs 120,” said Rahul Gandhi. 
Taking a dig at the opposition Rahul Gandhi went on to say, “whenever we make policies for the poor, the opposition including Mayawati ji raises a number of questions. They ask from where we would have the money for the welfare schemes like Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and Right to food schemes. When we draft policies for the rich, they keep mum. We showed them from where we can have money. There is no shortage of funds today.”

Taking on Mayawati for calling MGNREGA useless Rahul Gandhi remarked, “While all other states are acknowledging that MGNREGA is the most useful policy UP CM says the scheme is of no use. People in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Rajasthan or Kerala will vouch for the benefits of the scheme. They will admit that this scheme gave them the right of employment. The money sent under the scheme is being eaten up by Mayawati’s elephant in Lucknow. Your leaders do not come to you or listen to your problems. They therefore, say that these schemes are of no use for the poor and raise questions. But we believe in the rights of the people.”
Referring RTI Act he remarked, “earlier only MPs or MLAs or bureaucrats were able to gather any information about the government officers or its actions. The common men did not having any right to ask for any information. But by bringing the Right to Information (RTI) Act UPA government ensured that everybody in the country is empowered to ask questions. When this was implemented a number of cases of corruption came out. Even some ministers were sent to jail.”
“I come to you. I share your meals. Drink water from your well and sometimes even fall ill. All because I want to know the real issues of the poor and aam aadmi,” he said amidst cheers of acknowledgement. Rahul Gandhi then declared that he has not visiting to deliver lectures. “I have not come for elections, but to bring about positive changes in Uttar Pradesh. I will not leave this place until the changes are made here. Let it take 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. I will stay the course.”
“Your people go to Maharastra, Delhi, Assam, Manipur or Punjab for jobs and contribute for the development there. You built the shining Metro in Delhi. When the entire Delhi sleeps you work overnight” argued Rahul Gandhi.
“Don’t the people of UP have the right to earn a job in their own state? Don’t they have the right to get their children educated here in UP? Only Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala or Haryana are to be developed?” he asked.
“This is your right to get a job at your own state. It is your right to have your children properly educated in your own state. Ten years back Hyderabad was a less-known city. But now the entire world knows that place. We, the Congress, brought that change. Congress always plans with long term vision,” claimed Rahul Gandhi.
“You enjoy the benefit of mobile phones and computers today. But remember the policy for the same was framed 20 years back by Rajiv ji,” said Rahul Gandhi recalling the contributions of his father and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
“Some people mocked at Rajiv Gandhi for his visionary measures regarding computers and telephones. But today everybody is reaping the benefits. We need all modern technology and English for development,” he added.
“Mulayam Singh Yadav sometime back had said that we do not need computers and English. But his son Akhilesh Yadav knows both. They think that the poor do not need computers, mobiles or English,” he alleged.
“When the rich asks for adequate compensation, they get it. But if a poor farmer sells his land and asks for reasonable price he gets bullets,” said Rahul Gandhi referring the atrocities by the police towards the striking farmers in Tappal and Bhatta-Parsaul. “Neither Mayawati nor Mulayam Singh Yadav went there.  When I went there they laughed at me,” said the Congress General Secretary.
“We send funds under MGNREGA and various other schemes but they are gobbled up by the elephant in Lucknow. Now she has expelled four of her ministers when the election schedule has already been announced. She did not do anything in the past five years. One of her ministers is scouting Delhi to save himself for the irregularities committed in NRHM,” said Rahul Gandhi to highlight the rampant corruption in the state.
“The roads in UP last only for three months because the funds meant for it go to the pockets of the ministers,” he alleged.
Citing the poor state of affairs in UP the young Congress leader urged, “now this is the time to put an end to these bad affairs in Uttar Pradesh. I consider it is my responsibility to change the state s that the people have a better future. You changed Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana. You can change UP too. You have the strength in you“.
 “Now you think about bringing changes. Think about bringing in a government of aam aadmi that talks about your future and development of the state. Certainly you can do it. I am here with you to support you. You have the strength,” said Rahul Gandhi encouraging the crowd.
“The moment you will have a government that thinks about the development the situation will change. If Congress comes to power the development will be visible in five years and within 10 years the face of your state will be changed completely,” added Rahul Gandhi and said that he is ready to give this commitment in writing.
“I came here not to seek votes but to bring changes. I will make sure that it happens,” concluded Rahul Gandhi amidst huge applauds.