Rahul's family responsible for UP's backwardness: Raj

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday held the Nehru-Gandhi family "responsible" for the lack of development in Uttar Pradesh.

"All prominent Nehru-Gandhi family members got elected from Uttar Pradesh, but they have not worked for development there," the MNS chief alleged.

"They have won from Uttar Pradesh and enjoyed power for so many years. People migrate to other states because of lack of development in Uttar Pradesh and the Nehru-Gandhi family is responsible for it," he maintained.

The MNS leader's comment came hours after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's statement on migration of people from UP to other states for jobs.

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Speaking at a rally in Phulpur, Rahul said, "People of Uttar Pradesh are appreciated for their hard work, wherever they go in search of job. How long will you beg in Maharashtra (for work)? How long will you work as labourers in Punjab?"

Maintaining that the Congress general secretary has a "low understanding" of history, Raj said the Amethi MP needs to be more informed.

"He should check the history of Maharashtra and also find out who destroyed Uttar Pradesh." The MNS leader said the people from Uttar Pradesh should know who had made them "beg".

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gopinath Munde slammed Gandhi for his remark over migration of people from the country's most populous state.

"If somebody goes to other states in search of work, it should not be equated with begging. It is an insult of the people from UP and Bihar," Munde said.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray was also critical of Rahul's statement.

"Isn't it regionalism? When we speak on the issue, we are criticised for promoting regionalism. Rahul Gandhi is deliberating trying to disturb social balance in the country," he claimed.