Rahul aims Cong revival in UP, not govt formation

Gorakhpur, May 5: Congress star-campaigner and MP from Amethi Rahul Gandhi today said his long term objective was to revive the party in the politically significant state of Uttar Pradesh and not government formation.

Addressing an election meeting here, Rahul asserted ''we do not aim to form government in UP. My long term objective is to strengthen Congress in India's largest and politically important state.'' ''I got familiar with different political and social issues of UP, during my roadshows...I would also like to get familiar with other important issues,'' he added.

The Congress MP asserted ''I have several strategies in my pocket for UP's development, but before I move ahead with them, I also want to know the peoples' views on the issue.'' Welcoming youth to share their views, Rahul noted that he was eager to hear from them.

Denying that party could not win the ongoing Assembly poll, Rahul said ''It is not true. Congress has a standing in UP which only needs to be boosted up.'' Asked about, which party would be supported by Congress in case of a fractured verdict, he retorted it would be decided by the party high command.

Flaying the non-Congress regimes since the last 17 yrs in UP, Rahul claimed the opposition parties had precious little for the state's development and only ''misutilised'' youth power.

Rahul further crticised the opposition parties, saying they had only played caste politics. ''UP is passing through a dismal situation, it lacks proper roads, power and medical facility.'' ''To protect UP from ruining is Congress' priority and this could only happen with the support of people, especially youth,'' he maintained.

UNI