Firdaus Khan
Unchahar, Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh). All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has urged the people to support Congress and help it form the Government in Lucknow. “Help us to form a Government in Lucknow and see what happens. We will change U.P” assured Rahul Gandhi while speaking at an election rally in Unchahar in Raebareli on Thursday.
“This is election time in Uttar Pradesh. We have been experiencing elections in the past 22 years in U.P. But U.P still remains the same without any development. We run a Government at the Centre and we do whatever we can do for the states. We send thousands of crores of rupees to Uttar Pradesh. But that did not reach you. This money is yours. This money is the result of the hard work put in by the women. It is you who develop this country with your blood and sweat,” said Rahul Gandhi. 
“The sad part is that one of my hand is tied. One hand is of the Central government which is free, but not the other one. You know what has been happening in Amethi and Raebareli. We try our level best to extend all our help, but the state Government tries to create hurdles. So please untie the other hand and see how U.P progresses,” he added.
To prove the discrimination against Raebareli by the U.P Government Rahul Gandhi said “In Raebareli Sonia Ji put in her maximum effort for the Railway Coach Factory and the Centre had approved it. But we had to fight a legal battle to make it a reality. Similarly we send huge amount for the maintenance of National Highway, but the state Government does not use it properly and see the pathetic condition of the roads now”.
Again addressing the women audience who had assembled in large numbers, Rahul Gandhi said “You develop this country.  I feel very happy today to see you in large numbers. I want to ask you one question. What did the state Government in the past 22 years give the women in Uttar Pradesh?” and the women loudly responded “Kuch nahin kiya (did nothing)”.
“I could not experience anything when I came to you. Nothing has changed. Whatever development you see in Amethi and Raebareli were brought by the Central Government” he added.
“You therefore support Congress and elect Congress candidates in this battle for Lucknow. I am fighting for you in the entire Uttar Pradesh.  I will continue to do so, but you also will have to join me because this fight is for the women here and for the future of the people of Uttar Pradesh” urged the Congress General Secretary.
Rahul Gandhi asked why the people from UP are forced to go to other cities for jobs. “People of Uttar Pradesh are not able to get a job in U.P. They therefore are forced to go to Maharashtra or Delhi. You built big buildings in Maharashtra and contributed for development but what did you get in return. You were forced to flee from there. Haryana and Punjab produce the entire food for the country, but they cannot do it without the people of Uttar Pradesh. You go to  Ladakh and work there under chilling cold. All these places are developing but U.P remains the same,” he added.  
“Don’t you have the right to job? Don’t you have the right for development?” asked Rahul Gandhi.
“You gave us a mandate at the Centre and we have been making welfare policies for you. But if you want to reap its proper benefits, you must have a Congress Government in U.P too” asserted Rahul Gandhi.
Striking an emotional chord with the people especially the women Rahul Gandhi said “U.P is the largest state and you have the biggest strength. You know that I keep coming to the villages and interact with the people especially the women. I understand your power. You can change the entire world. I feel angry that your hands are tied. In Amethi and Raebareli, we, with your support and cooperation, brought in various developments. The people got its benefit too. But what is happening in the other parts of the state? What is the condition of  lakhs of women and  children there?”
“Political parties come to you and seek votes in the name of caste or religion. They formed Governments which represented only 10% of the people, and the rest 90% were ignored” concerned Rahul Gandhi. 
Taking a jab at Samajwadi Party’s promise to give free electricity, Rahul Gandhi commented “This is election time and the parties come to you with tall promises. They promise free electricity and water. What was the situation in 2004? I still remember that the people of Amethi did not have regular electricity but received hefty electricity bills, free. They had showed me the bills. For the past 22 years no power houses were erected in the state. How can they give free electricity then? Will it fall from the sky? Will the wires come from the sky?”
Referring Bundelkhand Rahul Gandhi continued “Mulayam Singh Ji promises that he would convert Bundelkhand into Israel. Where was he when Bundelkhand was badly hit by the drought? What did he do when he was the Chief Minister thrice? But we went there and fought for the people. The Centre approved a relief package for the region. But Mayawati Government looted the entire fund. It was your money. It was the money of your blood and sweat. It is the money for the future of the women assembled here”.
The Congress leader added “We send huge funds under various schemes for you. But you are forced to bribe to avail the same. The funds meant for the roads were looted in U.P”.
“We should change this state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh. You, especially the women here, know me very well. I will not leave you till development is back in Uttar Pradesh. Myself and Sonia Ji have been fighting for your future and the future of your children. We will continue this battle till the state of U.P stands on its own feet.
“Please support Congress and elect Congress candidates to enable us to form a Government in Lucknow. A Congress Government will bring in changes in Uttar Pradesh” concluded Rahul Gandhi.