Only a Congress govt can deliver in UP, says Rahul

[1]

Rahul Gandhi speaks during the inauguration of a housing scheme - Adarsh Pradarshan Awasiya Pariyojana

Accusing Mayawati government of stifling centrally-sponsored schemes in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that Congress can ensure development only after it comes into power in the state.

"Programmes are being chalked out in Delhi, but here problems are being faced in their implementation. Frankly, without having a government in UP, it is not easy to carry out development works," Mr Rahul said while addressing a function in constituency.

"We will make an effort to form a government in UP, then both the governments will work in tandem," said the Congress general secretary who has been leading a campaign to revive the party in the crucial state where the Congress has been out of power for over two decades.

The Congress' Lok Sabha tally jumped to 22 from nine in the 2009 general elections in the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lower House. The party's strength is just 22 in the 403-member UP Assembly, elections to which are due in 2012.

Mr Rahul alleged that the benefits of welfare schemes were not reaching the targeted population in Uttar Pradesh.

"Earlier there was shortage of funds for development works, but it is not so now. The problem is that the benefits are not reaching the needy," Mr Rahul said.

He said that adequate funds are provided by the Centre for roads, but the projects are not carried out properly due to corruption.

"Ek to sadak banti nahi hai, aur banti hai to chehe mahine mein kharab ho jati hai kyonki contractor badmashi kar jata hai (First of all the roads are not constructed and if they are constructed they get damaged in six month as the contractors play mischief)," he said.

The Congress leader said that it hurts when development works were stifled by the UP government.

"We work our heart out and it really hurts when they are stopped by the UP government," he said.

Citing example of the proposed Hindustan paper mill, Mr Rahul claimed that the project was pending with the state government for the last two years.

"The project, which could have given job to nearly 10,000 people, is pending with the state government for clearance," he said.

Mr Rahul said that a lot of work has been done in MNREGA, health and education sector and efforts were being made to do more in future.

He said that the Centre was trying to take the country ahead with a rapid pace.

"The government is making efforts to implement food security act in days to come," he said.