PM campaigns for Congress in UP

Addressing his first election rally in the UP assembly elections, the Prime Minister targeted Chief Minister Mayawati over allegations of corruption against her government on several issues, including the much talked about NRHM, MNREGA and other centrally-sponsored schemes.

Singh said the condition of law and order, power supply, potable water facilities and infrastructure in the state has gone down. "The reason behind this bad situation is that non- Congress governments which came to power in the state in the last 22 years did not pay attention either to governance or the problems of the common man," he said. Singh urged people to vote Congress to power by promising "we will work with greater strength for the development of UP if the Congress comes to power."

The PM also referred to the Bundelkhand package saying Rahul Gandhi played a key role in ensuring the measure but it was not fully utilised by the state government due to "irregularities" in its implementation.

"There is a need to change this situation. You need a government which changes the shape of UP and focuses on development by rising above caste and religious lines. Congress led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi can provide such a government," the Prime Minister said.