Lucknow: Gearing up the party for `Mission
2012` of coming to power in UP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
today directed his lieutenants to take on Mayawati government
on the issue of development while harping on mobilising youths
to reach out to the common man.
"The fight of Congress is not with any political party.
We should concentrate on connecting with the people by raking
up issues of development and reaching their homes in times of
grief and celebrations," Gandhi was quoted as saying at a
meeting of party`s state coordination committee here.
Rahul asked party cadres "to initiate a new type of
politics, which is in the interest of common man. While
utilising experience of old hands, youths should be equally
involved in the process of strengthening the party", according
to UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi.
It was the fifth meeting of the coordination committee,
which deliberated on future plans and analysed the results of
Lok Sabha polls, where the party surprised many with its
impressive performance, bagging 20 out of 80 seats in UP.
Criticising the Mayawati government on the handling of
drought situation in the state, Joshi said a resolution was
passed asking the state government to properly utilise funds
meant for the purpose.
"Instead of spending money on statues, the state
government should spend money on drought hit people. We
demand immediate exemption of realisation of dues from
farmers and fees from students as well as effective
implementation of central schemes in the state," Joshi said.
On the state government`s demand of Rs 80 thousand
crore for Bundelkhand, party`s state incharge Digvijay Singh
said that it should give its blue-print first.
"The state should give blue-print of its demand and
utilise Centre funds already given", Singh said accusing the
state government of diverting Central funds.
The coordination committee also passed a resolution
condemning the arson at Joshi`s residence last month and
demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
"We will continue pressing for a CBI probe, till our
demand is met," Joshi said.
Rahul arrived to a rousing welcome by party workers in
the city this afternoon but avoided the media and remained
closeted with MLAs, MPs and workers at the party office.
Asked whether Rahul was following Mayawati by
avoiding mediapersons, Digvijay Singh said, "don`t equate him
(Rahul) with Mayawati and he had organised press conference in
his constituency Amethi last month".
Before the coordination committee meeting, Rahul met
former minister Kranti Kumar, whose house was being used by
Joshi as her residence which was set afire on July 15 after
she allegedly made derogatory remarks against Mayawati.
Rahul consoled Kumar who said memories of his father
Govind Sahai, a freedom fighter, were connected with the
house.
After attending the meeting, the AICC general
secretary left for his parliamentary constituency Amethi,
where he will stay overnight.
Rahul will leave for Delhi on Friday morning.
Bureau Report
