Hostile reception awaits Rahul Gandhi in Maharajganj

Maharajganj (Uttar Pradesh), Nov.26 (ANI): The town of Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh had a hostile welcome ready for Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, ahead of his rally here on Saturday.

Several banners reading 'Rahul Gandhi go back' have been strung along major streets, protesting his recent offhand remark about the people of Uttar Pradesh, who he had called "beggars."

Pashupatinath Gupta, a social worker and local resident, said that entire local administration was bogged down with Gandhi's massive security arrangements, causing inconvenience to the people.

"All the government officials and workers are having a field day as a result of arrangements for his (Rahul Gandhi's) visit. People are unable to avail their services. It has been three days now. The amount of money being spent on security in one day could be used to feed a village for months, according to me. It would be better if such people did not come to our town," Gupta said.

He added that the security arrangements also hampered any true interaction with the public, since only a chosen few who could speak to him.

"There is no benefit for the public. We cannot even oppose him with such heavy security in place. Nobody can speak to him either," Gupta said.

Gandhi has locked horns with state chief Mayawati over several months on a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from the woes of farmers, graft, anomalies in the federal government's flagship schemes, and poor governance in Uttar Pradesh-one of the country's worst performers in socio-economic indices.

However, Mayawati retaliated to Gandhi's tirades by highlighting his relative political 'inexperience' and alleged 'bias' on part of the federal government towards Uttar Pradesh in several news conferences and rallies.

A key plank of Gandhi's outreach efforts is to convince the poor, once a loyal support base for the Congress party, but now increasingly fragmented into supporting regional parties seen as amplifying their specific concerns.

He often visits various parts of the state focusing equally on the lower caste Dalits, Muslims, socially backward classes and marginalised Hindus, visiting their homes and even spending nights there.

His interactions with students at colleges and universities have also boosted his image as a popular youth leader.

He is seen as the Congress party's best bet to strike a chord with the rural belt in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)