Firdaus Khan
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh). Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi while addressing a well-attended election rally in Moradabad as part of his campaign for the ongoing assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, repeated that the people whose intention is clear, need not make any promises.
He asked the crowd, “You have been experiencing the regime of different parties – BJP, BSP and SP - in the state for the past 22 years. Are you looking for a change?” The crowd responded loudly with ‘yes’. 
“Changes will not take place by mere promises,” said Rahul Gandhi. “If I come here and give you 10-15 promises, nothing is going to happen. This is election time. Leaders like Mulayam Singh and Mayawati come to you and shower promises.  I will not do so. People with noble intentions never make promises, they just act,” he added.
“The leaders in Uttar Pradesh do nothing. It is the people here who work hard. The poor labourers and farmers shed their sweat and blood and develop the country. But the leaders do not respect them. They loot the money, meant for the poor. During election time they come to you and make tall promises. After coming to power, they forget the people. This has been happening for the past 22 years in UP,” said the Congress General Secretary.
“Mulayam Singh Yadav now promises free electricity in the entire U.P. He was the Chief Minister thrice. I still remember that the people used to receive hefty bills, though there was no adequate electricity. There is no power house built in the past 22 years and so how can he provide free electricity? “Will it fall from the sky?,” he remarked. 
Referring Mulayam Singh’s poll promise Rahul Gandhi continued “Mulayam Singh Ji also promises that he would convert Bundelkhand to Israel. No one in Bundelkhand wants Israel. They want electricity, water and sufficient food. But he talks about Israel. He was the Chief Minister for three terms. What did he do for them? When people of drought-hit Bundelkhand were crying for help where was he? I had gone to different villages in the region. I could see neither Mulayam Ji nor Mayawati there. Mayawati Ji was the Chief Minister, but never visited Bundelkhand,” asserted the Congress General Secretary.
Repeating that non-Congress parties did nothing except giving toll promises, the Congress General Secretary said, “During every election these parties – BSP, SP and BJP - came to you with a list of promises. For the past 22 years you have been hearing only promises. They promise free electricity, water and jobs, but do nothing after the polls.”
“The lack of development in Uttar Pradesh is not only harming UP, but the entire country also suffers because of this. There was a time when the state of Uttar Pradesh used to show the path to others. This is the biggest state in our country. The moment UP stands up, entire country will acknowledge it,” he said. 
“There is a Congress Government at the Centre from 2004. We came to you and enquired about your difficulties, you told us that there are no jobs available in villages. That is how Mahatma Gandhi NREGA came into existence. Every poor is guaranteed with hundred days of job at a daily wage of Rs. 120,” said Rahul Gandhi. “This was the concept of the people. We just implemented it. This scheme is not meant for any particular caste or religion, but for the entire poor,” he added.
“You go to any of the Congress ruled states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala or Haryana and ask anyone in the villages about MNREGA. They will admit that they have been benefitted by this scheme. But the people of UP could not avail its benefits. Mayawati Ji says that this policy is not beneficial for UP. SP and BJP ask from where we will have the money for the same. This money is the result of the hard work put in by the poor in the country. It is the result of their sweat and blood. But it is being looted in UP. They don’t think about the people”, said Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.
“We realize the strength of the farmers as well as their pain. We are aware of their hard work. So we went to them. They informed us that the doors of the banks are closed for them and also that they carry the burden of heavy debts. We, therefore, approved a relief package worth Rs. 60,000crore for them and opened the doors of the banks for the farmers,” said Rahul Gandhi, referring to the relief package for the farmers.
“Similarly we approved a relief package for Bunkars too. The state government in UP did not do anything for them. Is it not the duty of the state Government to help the farmers and Bunkars? When the poor farmers in Tappal and Bhatta-Prasual demanded adequate compensation for the land forcibly acquired by the state Government, they received bullets. Women were assaulted. Neither Mayawati Ji nor Mulayam Ji went there. But now they give promises that they would help the farmers,” said Rahul Gandhi. 
Rahul further said, “Did Mulayam Singh Ji do anything for the Muslims in the past 22 years? Did the youth get proper education?” Rahul Gandhi added, “But Congress implemented Sachar Commission’s recommendations.  When we sent the money for scholarship to Uttar Pradesh that got vanished in Lucknow. The funds reach Kerala and Lakshadweep properly though these places are far away from Delhi. But the same is not able to reach the people in UP which is only at a stone throwing distance from Delhi. The magic elephant in Lucknow gobbles up the entire funds.”
“When media persons had asked Mulayam Ji about his stand on reservation, he did not utter any word. But when Congress, Manmohan Singh Ji and Sonia Ji went ahead with reservation, he complained that it was inadequate.  He was the Chief Minister in UP thrice. Why did not he do anything then? When Rasheed Masood Ji talked about reservation he was expelled from SP,” said the Congress leader questioning the double speak of SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on the issue of Muslim reservation.
He again went on to say, “In 2009, Mulayam Singh Ji embraced Kalyan Singh ahead of 2009 elections. He had approached us for an election tie-up. But we refused to do so. We told them that we would have alliance only with the people of Uttar Pradesh. We would secure more seats than SP.”
“We are not going to ally with anybody else, except the people of Uttar Pradesh,” repeated the Congress General Secretary. “We will take the voice of the people to Lucknow,” he assured. 

“I am here not to make to shower promises. You will see Rahul Gandhi amongst the farmers, workers and poor in the villages till the state of U.P. stands on its own feet. I have enough time as I am only 41 years old. I am not in hurry. I have the trust of people and I do not need anything else. We together can transform Uttar Pradesh and this will definitely take place,” he declared.

“I am here to fight for you and I will not leave you till development takes place in UP. I have no promises for you, as my intention is pure. Thank you very much for giving me a patient hearing,” concluded Rahul Gandhi.