Only Cong can fulfil 'political dharma' in UP: Sonia

Varanasi, Apr 30 (UNI) Claiming the ruling Samajwadi Party, BSP and the BJP epitomised divisive and opportunistic polity, AICC president Sonia Gandhi today asserted that only the Congress could fulfil the political ''dharma'' in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally at Muslim-dominated Benia Bag Park here, Ms Gandhi alleged, ''The politics of opportunism and division has pushed UP to the lower rungs of the development ladder during the reign of non-Congress governments.'' ''It is not only the rulers who should be held responsible for the pathetic condition, the electorate also shares the blame for tolerating the misrule of non-Congress parties,'' she said.

Ms Gandhi alleged, ''The state, which once guided the country is now wandering in dark, especially due to the misrule of the present government in UP, which has failed to control degradation of law and order.'' ''We have performed the dharma of welfare of all at the Centre, particularly weaker sections and minority...give us the opportunity to replicate it in UP where development has taken a backseat during the 18-year-rule of non-Congress governments,'' she maintained.

''Ms Gandhi said, ''we do not want your vote only to change the face of UP, but need a storm of ideological awakening to transform the state.'' Taking a dig at the ''politics of opportunism'' in UP, Ms Gandhi said: '' the SP, BSP and the BJP are spewing venom on each other now...but after the polls it will be difficult to say which way will these parties go.'' She also tried to strike a chord with the weavers.

''The Centre is doing a lot by initiating schemes to facilitate easy credit to weavers, explore new international markets for their products as well as start insurance schemes for them. But what has state government done for them...it could not even provide the bare minimum power supply to their business,'' she alleged.

Ms Gandhi also criticised the SP-led UP government for not utilising Central funds for the development of the state.

UNI