Intentions of Congress Party clear and sincere, says Rahul Gandhi

Hardoi, Jan 29 (ANI): Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi here on Saturday said that the intentions of his party were clear and sincere.

While addressing a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi, Gandhi urged people to cast their votes in favour of the Congress to bring growth and development in the state.

"Our intentions are clear, you have your government in New Delhi, we will do whatever it takes for the farmers, labourers, Dalits, minorities and the weaker sections of the society but we need you to hold our hands here," said Gandhi.

He slammed the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led state government for doing little for the poor and the marginalized lashing out at UP Chief Minister Mayawati for squandering public money and epitomising corruption.

Gandhi also targeted other leaders including former Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav asserting that the Congress would keep on working for the betterment of the country.

"They say that the Congress party is enacting a play. When we waived off loans, it was considered a drama and so was when we brought the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, when we talked about of Right to Food, fought for farmers' rights in Bhatta Parsaul, got packages released for Bundelkhand and weaving community Then in this case I love doing this drama and would continue to do this," added Gandhi.

The polls are being viewed as an opportunity for India's major parties to re-establish or strengthen their foothold in the most populous state.

In the fray are the incumbent Bahujan Samaj Party, state's main opposition SP, alongside the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and provides the biggest single bloc of seats in the Indian parliament.

Voting in India's most populous, Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting from February 8 and finishing on March 3.

Three other states - Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa-will hold elections between January 30 and March 3.

The results of the polls would be declared on March 6. (ANI)