Firdaus Khan
Saharanpur(Uttar Pradesh). Addressing a mammoth rally in the Saharanpur district of the poll bound Uttar Pradesh All India congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Mayawati for the rampant corruption in the state. Rahul Gandhi alleged that whenever the Congress led Government at the centre makes policies for the welfare of the poor Mayawati terms it as a drama of Congress. He was on the final day of his five-day tour to Uttar Pradesh campaigning for the Congress in the state.
Rahul Gandhi reminded that during the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in 2004, while other parties made a number of hollow promises Congress had only promised a government of aam aadmi. “The opposition 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 without going to the people or talking to them. India cannot shine if we do not have jobs, proper roads, adequate electricity and sufficient water. Congress knew it because we came to you, talked to you and realized your problems. We therefore promised a government that works for aam aadmi, poor, minorities, dalits and adivasis. The people gave their mandate by electing an aam aadmi government of the Congress,” he said taking a dig at BJP.
“We found that no jobs are available in the villages. So the first thing we did was to implement MGNREGA to guarantee jobs for all. By this biggest employment generation scheme poor are assured of jobs if they intend to work. Through MNREGA poor are assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year and a daily wage of Rs 120. We, in fact, brought jobs into the remote villages using this policy,” said Rahul Gandhi on UPA’s Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy.
Taking a swipe at Mayawati Rahul Gandhi said, “while all other states are acknowledging that MGNREGA is the most useful policy UP, your CM says the scheme is of no use. She also said this during a public function on October 9, 2007. She along with opposition raised questions on how the Central Government will raise funds for the scheme.”
He added,“When we make policies for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged the opposition raise a number of questions. But if the policy benefits the rich and elite they keep quite. She does not come to you. She even grabbed poor farmer’s land. If a poor farmer sells his land in U.P and asks for adequate compensation he gets bullets. In Tappal and Bhatta-Parsaul striking farmers including women were assaulted by the BSP Government.  This is the character of your government,” commented Rahul Gandhi.
 “People in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Rajasthan or Kerala whereever Congress is in power will vouch for the benefits of the scheme. They will admit that this scheme gave them the right to employment and it brought confidence in them. We talk about the rights of the poor but Mayawati calls it a drama of Congress.  We send huge funds to UP under various schemes. But it is usurped by the ministers and the magic elephant in Lucknow. Normally elephants eat grass and leaves, but Mayawati’s magic elephant in Lucknow eats up funds meant for the poor,” he claimed.
“This money did not fall from the sky. This is the money of your sweat and blood. This money is the result of hard work of farmers and labourers. If the country is developing it is because of your efforts, your blood and sweat,” said Rahul Gandhi amidst applauds.
“Your Chief Minister does not come to you. She did not visit Bhatta-Parsaul when the poor farmers were assaulted by the police. She did not go to Bundelkhand when the region is badly struck by drought. I went there. The Centre sent a relief package to Bundelkhand. That too was gobbled up by the ‘elephant’” he said.
“When we knew about the difficulties faced by the Bunkars in UP, the Central Government approved a relief package of Rs. 3,000 crores for them. Some of the representatives of the Bunkars came to me and requested not to send the funds to Lucknow as they feared that the ‘elephant’ will consume it” said the Congress General Secretary and then informed “We therefore redrafted the policy so that the funds will  go directly to the person’s account”.
Rahul Gandhi cited one of his personal experiences. “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. Four-five 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 from the helipad the roads were being repaired and the hospital building was being painted. This is the state of affairs in your state.” “Here the roads last only for three months. The funds meant for the  welfare schemes or roads are being eaten up by the elephant” repeated Rahul Gandhi.