Lucknow, August 07: 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.
–Agencies