Firdaus Khan
Bhadohi, Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh). All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while addressing an election rally at Bhadohi on Tuesday as part of his ongoing campaign for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections said that his fight is not for any post but to take the voice of the people to the Government.
Referring 2004 Parliament elections Rahul Gandhi said, “During 2004 Parliament elections, I was not active. I was contesting from Amethi. I was observing politics from a distance. Congress had only promised a government of aam aadmi that works for poor, farmers, minorities, dalits Hindu, Sikh, Muslims, Christians and adivasis.
Taking a jab at BJP he continued, “But BJP and NDA brought out a slogan in English ‘India Shining. I, while visiting various villages in the villages of Amethi, was thinking why they have brought out such a slogan in English. There was no electricity in the houses of poor farmers, the hands of labourers were torn, and I was asking myself how they can frame such a slogan. I was wondering whether these people actually go out to know the reality. Media had said that Congress was not going to win; they had given us only 80 seats out of 540. But the people gave mandate to Congress. After the elections, when the press persons asked BJP about the origin of the slogan, its senior leader said that it was picked up from an advertisement in TV”.
“Why am I reminding you of 2004? I am just wondering about this mentality. They were in power for five years. But they did not go to people, farmers, laboureres, talked to them or enquired about their problems. They did not ask the women about their issues, still believed blindly that India was shining,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Striking an emotional chord with the people Rahul Gandhi said, “You have the knowledge. I studied in America and I did my Masters from England. But even the professors in America could not give me the knowledge that I gathered in the past seven years from the people of Bundelkhand” and the crowd acknowledged it with cheers.
“I hear both officials and aam aadmi. There is a huge difference. I understand that there is truth in your words. Even the bureaucrats do not possess the knowledge that you have. That is what I learnt in during the past seven years” he added.
“They (BJP) coined such a slogan because they did not come to you. Please tell me whether Mayawati Ji, Mulayam Ji or Advani Ji came to you in the past five years? Did they share your meals? Did they hold your hands in support?” asked Rahul Gandhi and the crowd responded with roaring no.
“Is there any fault with the people of U.P?” he asked again. “Who developed this country? Not me, Manmohan Singh Ji or Sonia Ji. It was you who did it. Just see the dilapidated roads here. It is your money being wasted. The money meant for the roads and other facilities are of the people. It is the toiling masses who bring development. Rahul Gandhi does not work in the fields. It is the laboureres who put in their hard work with empty stomach” informed Rahul Gandhi.       
“You have the strength. Only you can bring in changes, not the leaders. The difference between the Congress and Mulayam Ji, Mayawati Ji and BJP is that Congress never gives hollow promises. We do not give promises like free electricity. We never promise that we will appoint teachers in all schools within two days. Nothing is going to happen in just two days. For the past 22 years U.P has been slipping down” he said.
Then Rahul Gandhi reminded “Please do not support Rahul Gandhi if you expect that changes will happen just two days. I cannot change anything in two days”.
Once again striking an emotional chord with the audience Rahul Gandhi said “I want to say just one thing. I have nothing except your trust. I will never forget this even if I get 200, 400 or 2 seats. You reposed your faith in me and I will not leave you”.
Then he referred his Press Conference yesterday at Varanasi and said “Yesterday during the Press Conference, I was asked whether I want to become the Prime minister or not. Many people and some political leaders also ask me the same question. For me politics is not for securing any post. That is what I learnt in the past seven years. Politics for me is to go to the villages, listen to them, sit with them, hold their hands, enquire about their difficulties and take up their issues”.
“Post becomes a wall sometimes (kabhee kabhee post deeware ban jaathe hei)” he said. “Kanshi Ram Ji was doing well in the beginning. Mayawati Ji and Mulayam Singh Ji also were performing well at the start of their political career. But after becoming Chief Minister Mayawati Ji built a 40 ft wall around her house,” said Rahul Gandhi sarcastically.
“Few minutes back Salman Khurshid Ji was saying in his speech that Rahul Gandhi has been showing the way to the people. With all due respect to him let me say that Rahul Gandhi is not showing any path to the people, but it is the people who show me the way” he said amidst applauds.
“In 2004 we came to you and asked you about their difficulties. You told that jobs are not available in the villages. That is why NREGA was brought in by the Government. Every poor is assured with 100 days at a daily wage of Rs. 120” said Rahul Gandhi referring the Congress-led UPA Government’s Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy.
 “Then we went to the farmers. They complained that the doors of the banks were closed for them and that they were having huge burden of loans. We therefore took necessary measures; opened the doors of the banks for them and also designed a loan waive-off policy worth Rs.60,000 crores” he informed.
“Both these schemes were in fact the result of the thought of the people. Now we are going to give you right to food. This too is your concept”. Till the leaders of your state listen to the voice of the people and take up those matters with the Government, the state cannot progress,” argued the Congress General Secretary.
“I am sure that Uttar Pradesh will transform. The youth in this state will bring about changes” he asserted.             
“I was talking to one of the bunkars here. He told me that there was a time when 50000 people used to come to U.P and work here. But your governments allied with robbers, goondas and mafia and as a result your people are forced to go to Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and Punjab at present for want of job,” he said.
“Your strength has been tied up in Uttar Pradesh. Nothing is going to take place in just two days. But we will work together and bring in changes. You found time for me, listened to me with respect and I am grateful for that. I will never forget this” concluded Rahul Gandhi.