Rahul Gandhi at Gaind Ghar Ground ,Bahraich (U.P) Part-2

Addressing a Congress workers' meet at Gaind Ghar Ground, Bahraich on the second day of his UP tour AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Mayawati Government. He said that the BSP Government has been misusing all the welfare schemes brought in by the Central Government meant for the poor.

Speaking to the Congress workers assembled in large numbers Rahul Gandhi said, "my family has a good relationship with Behrauch. It was from here Rajiv Gandhi made the historic announcement to reduce the age limit to vote from 21 to 18." He also said that he learnt the habit of going to the villages and meeting the people from his grand mother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Referring the UPA Government policies Congress General Secretary added, "While campaigning for the Parliament elections in 2004 Congress has promised to form a government that would work for the common man. We had promised a government that works for the poor, dalits and adivasis. With the implementation of schemes like MGNREGA, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Right to Education all aiming the benefit of the poor we have indeed delivered." Underlining the significance of the MGNREGA scheme, Rahul Gandhi said, "by the MGNREGA policy poor persons are assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year with a daily wage of Rs120. Ask anybody in Andhra Pradesh or Kerala about the most beneficial scheme of the Central Government. Without any doubts most will say it is MGNREGA."

Expressing concerns over the misuse of MGNREGA funds by the BSP Government Rahul Gandhi commented, "we do sanction funds under this scheme to the UP Government as well. Whatever amount the Uttar Pradesh Government demanded from the Centre we sanctioned it. Whether it is Rs 10 or Rs 10 lakh we sent it. But actually what is happening? Your Chief Minister says that MGNREGA is of no use. When all other states are admitting that MGNREGA is the most useful policy and many poor people make the job cards and enjoy the benefit of the scheme, BSP Government says that the scheme is of no use. I remember in October 2007 too Chief Minister Mayawati during a rally had repeated that the MGNREGA is not beneficial. In fact the funds sent by the Centre pocketed by the ministers."

Rahul Gandhi Recalls Childhood Memories

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gndhi recalled his childhood memories of traveling around North India with father Rajiv Gandhi. There were no proper roads and other infracture said Rahul Gandhi. He also recalled his visits to the houses of the poor people in Amethi. From that day onwards I vowed to work for the development of Amethi.

Rahul Gandhi at Nanpara "Mayawati said that MGNREGA is of no use in U.P"

On the second day of his UP tour Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi took on the Mayawati- led BSP Government in the state. Addressing a Congress workers' meet at Nanpara, Rahul Gandhi argued that the UP Government has been looting the Central welfare funds meant for the poor.

Underlining the significance of the MGNREGA scheme Rahul Gandhi said, "By the MGNREGA policy every poor person is assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year with a daily wage of Rs120. Ask anybody in Andhra Pradesh or Kerala about the most beneficial scheme of the Central Government. Without any doubts most will say it is MGNREGA. It is not just a claim. The records are available on the internet anybody can check the fact about the benefits of the policy."

Rahul Gandhi in Pachperwa, Balrampur, U.P.

On the third day of his tour to Uttar Pradesh Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi reiterated that he will continue with the bait of going to the people to know their problems. He was addressing a rally at Pachperwa in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh as a part of the Congress campaign for the upcoming assembly polls.

"Every time whenever I mingle with the poor, visit their houses and share meals with them, some senior leaders while sitting inside TV studios mock at me. They call such things a drama of Rahul Gandhi," he told a gathering. "If mixing with the people to understand their problems and issues is a drama, I will continue with this drama throughout my life. I will go to their houses. I will eat their food. I will drink water from their well. I may fall sick; no problem. But I will not stop this" said Rahul Gandhi amidst loud applauds.

Appreciating the performance of the Congress Governments Congress General Secretary said, "The UPA Government at the centre has been working for the benefits of the common man, poor, dalit, adivasis and underprivileged. All the Congress led Governments at various places like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Delhi continue with efforts of serving the common man. We made policies like MGNREGA, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Janani Suraksha Yojana for the benefits of the poor in the country". He then added "By the MGNREGA policy every poor person is assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year with a daily wage of Rs120. We sanctioned amounts under this scheme to Uttar Pradesh also. Day before yesterday only we sanctioned a huge fund for the state. We sanctioned Rs. 3000/- crore funds for Bundelkhand too. But the amount does not reach you" and urged "In Uttar Pradesh also you should bring in a Government which listens to you."

Rahul Gandhi also expressed his concern over the pathetic conditions in the hospitals in the state. "I went to a hospital in UP where some painting and renovation works were going on. I went inside. There were no doctors, patients or nurses. Dogs were scampering inside. I asked them what is going on. They said that Mayawati is on a tour to this area and she will be visiting the hospital and therefore the renovation. As she was expected to take the road route so the roads were being repaired and the hospital building was being painted," he said. He advised Mayawati to go to the people and listen to their grievances.

Rahul Gandhi in Phulpur

Rahul Gandhi kickstarted the Congress campaign for next year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in Phulpur, near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh from where his great grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, had won his first Lok Sabha seat.