Uttar Pradesh is run by dalals, says Rahul Gandhi

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Firing a fresh salvo at the Mayawati Government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said 'dalals' were running Uttar Pradesh as people of the state are 'divided'.

"You are not together. Uttar Pradesh is divided and that is why dalals (touts) are running the state," Gandhi said, addressing people in this village on the third day of his padayatra to Aligarh.

"You may not like it. But this is true. Since you are not together that is why this is happening here. Unless you unite, you will continue to suffer. Unless you don't understand what is happening, the train will not come on its track," the young Congress leader told the villagers.

Rahul began his footmarch today from Sarole village in the district at 6.30 AM and walked about 7 km to reach here on his way to Aligarh, where he is slated to address a 'kisan mahapanchayat' on July 9. He said he came all the way from Delhi to convey his concern to farmers and people of Uttar Pradesh.

"I started my padayatra from Bhatta-Parsaul which saw the operation by the Mayawati Government on farmers in which many people were killed," he said. "I wanted to meet you personally and hear to your problems," he told the farmers. Gandhi told the farmers and villagers that they are being "fired upon" by police while protesting against taking their land forcibly.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi told PTI that the mahapanchayat will be held as per schedule on Saturday.

More than 30 farmer organisations from different parts of the state will speak on farmer related issues including land acquisition.

Joshi said: "We are offering a non-political platform where farmer representatives from 30 different organisations irrespective of their individual affiliations would be given an opportunity to express their views." She said: "After the kisan mahapanchayat, Gandhi will submit a detailed report to the Union Govt which would provide vital inputs for the proposed Land Acquisition Bill."