Rahul accuse govt of witch hunting

Rae Bareli, Apr 30: Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi today accused the Uttar Pradesh government of neglecting development, apprehending it might help Congress President Sonia Gandhi, seeking re-election from here, gain mileage.

''The state government is ignoring the fact that development works are undertaken for the welfare of people and not any individual,'' Rahul said while addressing several public meetings here.

The fear of helping Ms Gandhi gain political mileage was stopping the state government from accepting central funds for the development of Rae Bareli, the Amethi MP alleged.

He claimed the Samajwadi Party-led regime had declined to accept funds under a Rs 265 crore project approved by the union ministry of water resources.

''The Mulayam Singh Yadav dispensation in UP refused help, saying the work would be financed with the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund,'' Rahul claimed.

Continuing his offensive against the Mulayam Singh Yadav government he observed a parliamentarian received only Rs two crore as MPLAD funds and it was not possible to undertake a project of such magnitude with that sum.

Recalling the 'seasoned' bond of Nehru-Gandhi family with Rae Bareli, he said his grandmother and former prime minister late Indira Gandhi had also fought from the segment.

Since April 25, Rahul has addressed several public meetings in the high profile constituency.

The Rae Bareli bypoll was necessitated following the resignation of the Congress President from the LS seat over office of profit controversy.

UNI