Firdaus Khan
 Tirwa, Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh). Addressing a Congress workers’ rally at Tirwa, Kannauj on the final day of his second phase campaigning in Uttar Pradesh All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that the state can be developed only if we will have a government of aam aadmi. Rahul Gandhi promised that a Congress Government in the state assembly will guide the state to the top position again.
Criticising the performance of non-Congress governments in UP during the past 22 years he said, “in UP non-Congress parties have been talking about caste and religion at the cost of welfare of welfare of poor. They cheated state in the name of god. They made god a commodity and sold him in the market. They are least bothered about future of the state and its people.”
Congress General Secretary reminded that during the campaign for Lok Sabha elections in 2004 Congress had made only single promise – a government that would work for the common man. “Political parties brought out ‘India Shining’ slogan. They scripted it while sitting inside their big bungalows without noting that the shine was visible at those leaders’ houses or from their helicopters. But in villages the reality was quite different. So while other parties made a number of hollow promises we promised a government that works for the aam aadmi, poor, dalits and adivasis. So the people gave them a befitting reply by electing an aam aadmi government of the Congress. Since 2004 we have a government at the Centre,” he said taking a swipe at BJP and NDA.
Reiterating the significance of MGNREGA Rahul Gandhi said that we found that no jobs are available in the villages. People are forced to migrate to big cities. “Rich are getting jobs but the poor in the villages got no jobs. So we introduced MGNREGA to guarantee jobs for all. Through MGNREGA, the biggest employment generation scheme poor are assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year and a daily wage of Rs 120. When calculated it adds up to Rs 12,000 per year. People in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan or Kerala will vouch for the benefits of the scheme,” said Rahuol Gandhi. 
Charging Mayawati for her calling MGNREGA useless Rahul Gandhi remarked, “While all other states are acknowledging that MGNREGA is the most useful policy UP CM says MGNREGA is of no use. She is right in a way. The poor in the state are not getting its benefits. As Mayawati, her party leaders and ministers have usurped the benefits and pocketed the funds. Mayawati’s elephant in Lucknow has consumed all the funds sent by the Centre under various schemes. Normally elephants eat leaves and grass but the magic elephant of Mayawati in Lucknow eats currency notes.”
Taking a jab at the rampant corruption during Mayawati’s regime he said, “while talking to a media person he asked why the people in UP keep their hands inside their pockets while walking? He told that the people do so because otherwise the elephant will eat the money from the pockets as well.”
Rahul Gandhi asserted that the money does not belong to the Delhi Government, nor does it belong to the Uttar Pradesh Government. This money is earned from the development that you have brought to this nation. When people from Uttar Pradesh go to Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and Punjab and work for development at those respective places, the Central Government gets the money. So this money is not of BSP or SP. But in UP the money is being gobbled up by the Mayawati’s elephant. This money is meant for development, for schools, hospitals and roads but is being looted. The loss is yours. Your future is being snatched away from you,” he reminded.
Reiterating Congress’ commitment towards the cause of farmers’ Rahul Gandhi said, “UPA is committed towards the welfare of the farmers. The intention behind the Central government to waive off loan worth Rs 60,000 crore was to serve the common man. We opened the doors of the banks for the farmers. When we decided to waive-off farmers’ loan and brought in MGNREGA and other welfare schemes, the opposition parties asked us from where will the Government arrange money for this? If we do anything for the rich and elite they keep silent but if we draft policies for the aam aadmi they raise a number of questions.”
Rahul Gandhi also supported the UPA Government plan for allowing FDI in retail sector. “I interacted with locals who are engaged in the cultivation of potato. They showed that the potatoes go waste and being eaten up by rodents, as they are unable to sell it for the right price. That is why we thought about helping farmers and so brought out the proposal for FDI in retail.   The UPA Government wants to allow FDI in retail sector with an intention to help the farmers.  But the opposition parties have blocked it,” he added. 
“Your people go to Mumbai, Delhi, Haryana or Punjab and play a crucial role to develop those places. You made the big buildings in Mumbai. You built the shining Metro in Delhi. Your people go as far as Ladak for work. I asked people of UP I met in Ladak. They said that they had no option as there were no jobs available in UP. Your people in Maharashtra, Haryana or Delhi also will say the same thing. There is no basic infrastructure in UP. The roads here last only for three months. The money meant for the welfare is being looted here,” argued Rahul Gandhi.
Elaborating on the reasons behind the progress of Congress ruled states he said it is because of the implementation of policies with long-term vision. “You can see that states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi and Rajasthan all are surging ahead. But here your leaders think only about today they don’t see the future. That is the reason behind the poor state of affairs in UP,” he alleged.
Recalling the contributions of his late father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi reminded, “in 1980 Rajiv Gandhi introduced computers in our country. Some people laughed at him then. Today we are reaping the benefits.  Likewise it was about 20 years back mobile phones were introduced and you know how beneficial it has proved for the people. I was only 12 years when my father told me about computers and mobiles. He had told me then that these things are going to change the future of our country and after twenty years we all know he was right. So the policies with long-term vision are the main factor for development.”
Rahul Gandhi asserted that Congress is committed to work for the poor. “We want to serve the poor. There is no shortage of funds. Our country is fast developing. We send the money for you under various schemes. But those funds do not reach you as the elephant in Lucknow eats it up,” he lamented.
“Who will change this? asked Rahul Gandhi and continued, “the youth will change it. You changed Andhra, Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi. Now let us change UP too.”
“The governments during the past 22 years divided you in the name of caste and religion. Whereas we want computers, modern education, English and jobs,” he said.
“Certainly UP will change. No one can stop you because you have the strength to bring changes here. Rahul Gandhi will not do anything, but the people of UP will create wonders by bringing positive changes in UP. I will be with you always,” promised Rahul Gandhi encouraging the gathering.
He reminded that Congress has always delivered upon its promises. “We promised an aam aadmi Government. We formed it. We had promised MGNREGA, waiving off loan of poor farmers, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and JSY. We implemented all those.”
He then urged the people to think about development, progress, future and jobs in the state. “Please think about changing your state. 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.”
“The change is going to come soon,” he claimed. “We changed Andhra in 10 years. You can see the development there. Likewise, if get a chance we will change UP too,” assured Rahul Gandhi.