Firdaus Khan
Pipraich, Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh). Kicking off the fourth phase of his Election campaign for the Congress, in the poll bound Uttar Pradesh All India congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi lashed out at BJP for its double speak on corruption referring the induction of the tainted former BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha into its fold. “It was BJP’s senior leader Advaniji who had under taken a yatra against corruption but what is happening now? It has now inducted the most corrupted Babu Singh Kushwaha, who has been facing CBI investigation for looting crores of funds meant for the health of the poor, into its fold” he said.
Rahul Gandhi also disclosed that Babu Singh Kushwaha had approached the Congress requesting to save him from CBI and also had shown his intention to join Congress. “After his expulsion from the BSP, Kushwaha had approached us and wanted to join Congress. But we categorically told him a big ‘No’ and warned that he would be in jail soon”. We refused to induct any corrupt politicians in the party,” added the Congress General Secretary.
“Who brought out the information regarding the corruption against Kushwaha” asked Rahul Gandhi. “It was the members of the Youth Congress who helped to unleash the scam with the help of RTI” informed the Congress M.P.
“Now Advaniji and senior leaders have given green signal to induct Kushwaha into BJP. It has purchased Kushwaha” lamented Rahul Gandhi.
“There is a magic elephant in Lucknow which eats money instead of leaves and grass. There are three-four people who manage the elephant. Kushwaha was one of them. Now he is with BJP” added Rahul Gandhi.
“The Government in Uttarakhand is corrupt and the same is the case with Karnataka and Gujarat. But they talk high about curbing corruption,” said the Congress General Secretary taking a dig at the BJP run Governments.
“Every year thousands of children die in U.P due to Encephalitis. The centre sent huge funds to curb this epidemic. But the entire money was looted by Kushwaha” alleged Rahul Gandhi.
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. They did not go to people, share their meals or drink the contaminated water from their well, still believed blindly that India was shining.  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 and we delivered it.,” he said.
 “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.,” said Rahul Gandhi on UPA’s Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy. He also asserted that a number of farmers were benefitted by the Rs. 60000 crore relief package sanctioned by the centre for the farmers.
The Congress General Secretary blamed the 22 years of non-Congress Governments in UP for the lack of development in the state. He repeated his promise that a Congress Government will bring back developments in Uttar Pradesh like it has been doing in all the Congress-ruled states.“You wasted 22 years by electing non-Congress Governments. You first elected BJP; they sought votes in the name of Lord Ram. They became the dealers of Lord Ram. Then you voted for Mulayam Singh ji. He promised development but criminals were seen even inside police stations. You were angry with him and then you elected Mayawatiji in 2007. She and her Government have been looting the public money. The land of poor farmers was forcibly acquired by her Government without paying adequate compensation,” argued Rahul Gandhi.
“We should think about changing the bad state of affairs in UP. You have the strength in you and you have the knowledge. You can definitely change your state and it is not a difficult thing to do” he asserted.
Further referring the misuse of Central funds sent to U.P Rahul Gandhi said, “We send thousands of crores of rupees to U.P. But thse funds do not reach you. The money meant for schools, roads and electricity is being looted here. 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 from U.P in Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. If the country is developing it is because of your efforts, your blood and sweat,” said Rahul Gandhi amidst applauds.
 “When we knew about the difficulties faced by the Bunkars in UP, we approached the Prime Minister and the Central Government approved a relief package of Rs. 3,000 crores. 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”.
 “Mayawati recently sacked some of her ministers alleging corruption when only a month is left for the next elections. Half of her cabinet is in jail now. Why did not she remove them before? Why she did it after completing the five years term of her Government,” he asked.
“Your people go to other states and help them to develop. 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? Don’t you need good hospitals, schools and roads in UP?” he asked.
“You must change this. Give Congress five years.” urged Rahul Gandhi. “This is the time to put an end to all these miseries. You can see the states Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi or Kerala where Congress is in power. All are developing. We can change UP too. So stand up elect a Congress Government. We will bring positive changes in UP within five years,” Rahul Gandhi asserted encouraging the gathering.
 “I want the entire country look at Uttar Pradesh and marvel at the developments in the state. I dream for a day when the people from other states come to Uttar Pradesh for better jobs, education and health facilities,” he spoke to the cheering crowd.
“I am sure that day will come. You trust yourself. You have the strength and please realize the strength in you. The country cannot develop if U.P is not developed. I am here not for elections but to bring positive changes here and I will not move from here till I achieve that. The state of Uttar Pradesh will again be placed on the top of the developing states. We together will work from the core of our heart to make that dream a reality,” concluded Rahul Gandhi.