The Congress on Monday strongly defended Mr Rahul Gandhi’s statement on migration of people from Uttar Pradesh to other states for jobs alleging that the Opposition was rattled over the rise of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. It said
there was nothing objectionable in what Mr Gandhi said in Phulpur during the day, from where he kicked off his party’s election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.
“The reaction of the Opposition parties to what Mr Gandhi has said proves the impact of his words. It is evident from the restlessness of the Opposition that they have now begun fearing the rise of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh,” AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters here.
“What Rahul Gandhi said is clearly linked to the state’s self-pride (swabhimaan). How can this be called an insult, if somebody says that the people of his state should not be roaming around here and there in search of livelihood,” he said.
Accusing the Mayawati government of being corrupt, having siphoned-off Central funds and being insensitive to the poor, Mr Gandhi said, “People of Uttar Pradesh are appreciated for their hard work, wherever they go in search of job... How long will you beg?”