Sonia slams U.P. Govt. for step motherly treatment towards Rae Bareily, Amethi

Rae Bareli, May 17 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday slammed the Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government over its step-motherly treatment towards Rae Bareily and Amethi despite the Central government's ample support.

On the first day of her three-day tour of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Gandhi said: "It is the responsibility of the state government, but you know what the attitude of the state government has been towards Rae Bareli and Amethi."

Rae Bareily is Sonia's parliamentary constituency and Amethi happens to be her son Rahul Gandhi's constituency.

Speaking at a public meet Ms. Gandhi was critical of the U.P. government for doing precious little for farmers, the sugarcane growers in particular.

"Here I came to know that farmers are not getting the MSP (minimum sale price for sugarcane) decided by the central government since the state government is not procuring the items. I also came across the problem of lack of seed, fertiliser, electricity and water. Central government from Delhi is providing all the facility and also giving thousands and crores of rupees to state government, " said Ms. Gandhi.

Ms. Gandhi, meanwhile, is expected to inaugurate a number of development programmes and hold public meets during the present visit.

On Monday, Ms. Gandhi inaugurated a newly-constructed building of a sub-Post Office at Sareni.

On Tuesday, Ms. Gandhi is expected to meet people of her constituency and also address the party workers.

She will also launch Wi-Max services of the BSNL (Bharat Sanchat Nigam Limited), the state-owned prime telecommunication company at Dalmau.

On the final day, Ms. Gandhi is to meet people at the guesthouse of the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) and also undertake a couple of surprise visits before returning to Delhi. (ANI)