Cong will change the fortunes of UP: Rahul Gandhi

Taking a dig at the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that his party will revive in Uttar Pradesh and bring development to the state, during his visit to Ambedkar Nagar.

"The Congress will change the fortunes of Uttar Pradesh," said Gandhi, adding that people who were playing politics over religion have failed.

"The future of the country lies in the hands of the people residing in the villages," said Gandhi.

Gandhi further said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act was not being implemented properly in Uttar Pradesh.

"Job cards do not reach the poor people, it lies in the office of the village panchayat," he added.

Gandhi flagged off ten vehicles as part of a Chetna Yatra (awareness drive) to cover all 403 assembly constituencies in the state to mark 125 years of the party's establishment.

The Congress is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the programme is a success, and has mobilised its workers from the adjoining districts of Barabanki, Gonda, Faizabad, Azamgarh and Basti for the Chetna Yatra.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had reportedly denied permission to Gandhi to garland a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar during his visit.

Both the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party have organised rallies to mark the 119th birth anniversary of the Dalit icon.

Tight security arrangements have been made for Gandhi's Ambedkar Nagar visit, as the BSP is charged up to protest against the 'wrong' policies of the United Progressive Alliance government and the 'shortcomings' in the Women's Reservation Bill.

There are reports that despite the BSP calling for a state-wide agitation, Ambedkar Nagar is the focal point of the party's rally, as senior state government leaders are expected to stage a demonstration here.