UP govt ignored Rae Bareli: Sonia

A visibly angry Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday lambasted the Uttar Pradesh government for not taking any interest in the development of her Lok Sabha constituency Rae Bareli, as she made a surprise inspection of the developmental projects in the area.

“Look at the state of affairs at this village. It belongs to a particular community. The state government must also take responsibility,” the Congress president told reporters after visiting Binohara village in the constituency.

Gandhi, who arrived in her Lok Sabha constituency on a two-day visit on Monday, said the Centre had provided adequate funds to the state government for undertaking development activities in the area, but the funds were not put to good use.

“We can only give funds. The actual work has to be done by the state government,” she told the people who complained to her about the poor condition of roads and prolonged unscheduled power cuts.

Sonia’s outburst follows Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s recent accusation that the state government was meting out “step-motherly” treatment to his Lok Sabha constituency of Amethi, which lies close to Rae Bareli.

Sonia also held a “chaupal” (meeting of the villagers) at Harvanshkheda village and listened to the problems of the people.

She also met local Congress leaders and office-bearers and discussed the electoral strategy for the forthcoming general elections. She asked them to make the people aware of the various welfare schemes initiated by the Centre for them.