Rahul launches poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh

Meerut, March 18 High-profile Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Sunday launched the party's campaign for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections with a three-day road show and public rallies.

A journey of 64 kilometres from Delhi to Meerut commenced from Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at 11 a.m., good two hours behind schedule and reached the city by 6.30 p.m., taking more than seven hours as a result of frequent felicitations enroute.

A brief but direct appeal to the slogan shouting crowds seemed to touch their hearts as women - young, old and middle aged - came out of their houses to have a glimpse of Rahul, the scion of India's first political family and son of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

He is to cover a large part of farm-rich western Uttar Pradesh, where polling will take place April 7 in the first round.

Addressing the people, Rahul recalled the legacy of the state that led India's freedom struggle against the British rule.

The Congress MP from Amethi said: 'There was a time when Uttar Pradesh used to lead the country in the freedom struggle. Even after the independence, it continued to lead in education, health, roads and other development activities. But now leave alone leading, it has lost its way. In the last 15 years, people have been divided on communal and caste lines.'

'I have come today to work with you to help Uttar Pradesh restore its old glory,' he said, adding, 'this campaign is not the last time I am coming here, you will see me again even after the elections.'

As the day progressed and crowds swelled at each successive roadside reception, Rahul Gandhi, driven in a cream coloured Prado SUV by family confidant and former Rae Bareli MP Captain Satish Sharma, could be seen clearly enjoying the attention he was getting.

The Congress lost its hold in this region from Ghaziabad to Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Deoband and Shamli when Chaudhry Charan Singh left the Congress party and formed his Bhartiya Kranti Dal party, leading the first non-Congress government in 1967.

It was Rahul's first 'roadshow' in the region and people's response kept growing since the day's first rally in Ghaziabad followed by meetings in Muradnagar, Modinagar and Meerut.

He will spend the night in Muzaffarnagar to commence his travels by a chopper Tuesday to address half-a-dozen poll rallies in different parts of Barielly, Budaun and Bijnore districts.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

More India (World) News click here