Funds for Central schemes being misused in UP: Priyanka

Bhavanigarh (UP), Feb 4: Alleging that funds meant for central schemes were being misused by the Uttar Pradesh government even as the projects were running smoothly in other states, Congress star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday exhorted electorates to realise the importance of their vote.

"The funds sent to the state does not reach you. It is eaten up by the government here. You must have seen how many schemes have been given by the Centre and how much funds are given for them but it gets stuck in the state," she said in an election rally here.

Schemes like MNREGS have been made keeping in mind the requirement of the people and is running smoothly in other states, she said.

Exhorting the electorates to realise the importance of their votes, she said, "You should realise your strength and that of your vote. Make only that person an MLA who works for you...whose intentions are good...It is the habit of leaders that they make you forget your strength so that you think that they are very powerful."

Reiterating that politics in Uttar Pradesh has become opportunistic, Gandhi said, "Leaders come and make promises on caste and religious lines and mislead the people and then snatch their rights."

"The difference between Congress and other parties is that it treats all equally...not concentrate on any particular caste or religion and work for the future of all," she said.

At a poll rally in Jagdishpur, Priyanka said for the development of an area it always helps to have MP and MLA of the same party.

Jagdishpur this time has been included in Amethi parliamentary constituency, represented by her brother Rahul Gandhi, following delimitation.

"Rahul has made a special scheme for the development of this area and how you can progress," she said, adding that if the people of the area strengthen the hands of the party it would be easier to develop the area as having MP and MLA from the same party helps.

"Lack of coordination between MP and MLA hinders work," she said.

PTI