Firdaus Khan
Babaganj, Pratapgarh (Uttar Pradesh). “The people of Uttar Pradesh (UP) do not want promises, they want their UP back”, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said while addressing an election rally at Pratapgarh on Monday.
“Mulayam Singh Ji now promises that he would convert Bundelkhand to Israel. But the people of Bundelkhand do not want Israel, they want their Bundelkhand back. The people of U.P want their U.P back, not hollow promises. He promises free electricity. But when he was in power, I remember, there was no proper electricity. People used to get free hefty electricity bills, not electricity,” said Rahul Gandhi, taking a dig at the poll promise of SP President Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Referring to the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi said, “During 2004 Parliament Elections, Congress had only promised a government of aam aadmi that works for poor, farmers, minorities, dalits Hindu, Sikh, Muslims, Christians and adivasis and we delivered it”.
“But BJP and NDA brought out a slogan in English – India Shining. They were in power for five years. But they did not go to people, farmers, labourers, talked to them or enquired about their problems, still believed blindly that India was shining,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“But you gave them a befitting reply. You trusted Congress and gave it a mandate,” he added.
“When we came to you and enquired about your difficulties, you told us that there are no jobs available in villages. That is why the Centre introduced the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme. Every poor is guaranteed with hundred days of job at a daily wage of Rs. 120,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“But your Chief Minister Mayawati Ji says that this is a drama of Congress. Thousands of crores of rupees were sent to U.P under this scheme, but she calls it a drama. Mulayam Singh Ji also did not implement MNREGA when he was in power. But he now promises unemployment allowance. There would have been no need to give unemployment allowance, had he properly implemented this employment guarantee scheme,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“When we again come to you, the poor farmers told us that the doors of the banks are open only for the rich people. They also informed us about the huge burden of debts. The Central Government, therefore, made a policy for waiving off loan worth Rs. 60000 crores for them and also opened the doors of the banks,” informed the Congress General Secretary.
“We continue to go to the people. The toiling masses who put in their hard work for developing our country told us that they do not have sufficient food to survive. The Central Government is therefore bringing an important legislation to ensure the right to food by which every poor is assured with 35 Kg of food grain. Congress wants that no one in our country should live in hunger,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“But will the people of Uttar Pradesh get the food sent by the Centre? I am sure the food will reach the people in all the Congress-ruled states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana or Delhi. But it will be looted in Uttar Pradesh,” he maintained.
“Congress believes in action, not in promises,” said the Congress leader. “It is very easy to make promises. Congress will promise only one thing - a Government of aad aadmi,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“Congress gave you the right to job, right to education, relief packages for Bunkars and Bundelkhand, waived off loans of poor farmers and is now ready with the right to food policy. Please tell me what did you get in the past 22 years in U.P?” he asked.
“One of our hands is tied now. You should untie it by supporting Congress,” he urged.
“I am here not for elections but to bring in positive changes in U.P,” he reiterated. “You have the strength as well as the knowledge. You help developing the states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. You made big buildings in Mumbai. The shining metro in Delhi was built by you. Now let us develop U.P too,” he said.
“Your hands are tied now. Free your arms. The moment you do it, the state of U.P will stand on its feet” he declared. “Your leaders do not come to you. They are not bothered about you,” he reiterated.
“Uttar Pradesh needs a change and it is going to happen,” asserted Rahul Gandhi. “You have wasted 22 years. Now you have a chance to change it. Support Congress and elect Congress candidates,” urged the Congress General Secretary.
“For the past seven years, I have been visiting various villages and interacting with poor farmers and workers. I have no time to make promises. I am here to support you and work for you,” declared Rahul Gandhi.
“For the past 22 years, you have been hearing only promises. No one did anything for you. I will not leave you till the state of U.P stands on its own feet,” Rahul Gandhi concluded.