I am happy to be among people who have the honour to be in this city of Varanasi, which is a centre of education and learning. This city is the capital of religion and culture. The Congress has deep roots here. Freedom fighters, such as Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya to Sampurnanand to Kamlapati Tripathi from this place, served both the state and the nation with distinction.
It is a land of social harmony. People living here have their own religion and customs. Yet, they are all Banarasi and they all merge into a rich common culture. This shows their unity and homogeneity. This is the very message of this land.
Those who play parochial politics in this state, they believe and practise caste politics. They play politics of self interest and extortion. Such parochial politicians should learn from your rich traditions.
All of you know that there was a time when Uttar Pradesh provided leadership to the nation. Unfortunately, for the last 20 years, some political forces have been indulging in parochial caste politics and politics of extortion. For selfish interest and greed for power, they have compromised the welfare of the people. Nobody ever thought that two opposite, but opportunistic political parties, would go to the extent of entering into an agreement and each ruling the state for six months in turn. Switching parties has crossed all propriety and good sense. Today, there is misrule and mismanagement all over the province. There is no one to listen to the needs or grievances of the people.
Recently, the way the oppressive and brutal atrocities were committed on the farmers in Gautam Budhnagar, we all are ashamed to see that. It seems that a hideous conspiracy is going in the entire province in league with the state machinery for extortion and to grab the land of farmers. Why and for whom is this being done? Certain people are doing this for their self interest. How can we tolerate this? We will neither tolerate this nor let it happen.
We are happy that the people of this province have begun to realise this grim situation. Again, the people of the province have started to look towards Congress with expectations. They know that all major projects were completed during the tenure of Congress rule.
But, the situation today is that industries are being closed. The present government has sold sugar mills to their own men at low prices. The hospitals are without beds and medicines. Industry is vanishing from the province. The plight of handloom workers is the worst. Keeping the plight of the handloom workers in mind, our UPA government has sanctioned a special package of Rs 3,000 crore for them. As a special case, the duty on silk has been reduced from 30 to 5 per cent. As a result, rates of silk thread have come down by Rs 1,000 per kg. I hope this reduction in cost will help our brother handloom workers here.
You must have heard that our UPA government has sanctioned a special package of Rs 7,000 crore for the Bundelkhand region. We are concerned for the people of Purvanchal. I am aware of the sufferings of the people of Purvanchal. We will certainly do everything that is possible.
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But, the most important thing is that instead of creating hurdles in the way, the state government should properly utilise the huge funds being made available. Keeping in mind the needs of the people, our government has prepared mega plans and schemes. Recently, we have given the legal right of free education to children between the age group of 6 and 14. For the empowerment of girls of the age group of 11 to 18, we have started the Sabla (empowerment) scheme. To make sure that no one in the country remains hungry, a legislation for the right to food is being brought forward. We will shortly present in Parliament the Bill on land acquisition and rehabilitation. Some parties are accusing the Central government of corruption. But can’t these parties see that their own governments are completely engulfed in corruption? You would have seen the stern action that our government has taken was never taken by any other government till date. Do you know the result of such drastic measures? The result is that in the recent state Assembly elections, the Congress party got the maximum support. BJP got only five-six seats while the Left parties got completely wiped out. The theme is clear. As you sow, so shall you reap.
For this reason, I once again request my party workers that we keep in touch with the people and make efforts to solve their problems. This way the party will gain strength and shall surely triumph in Uttar Pradesh.
Edited excerpts from a speech by Congress President Sonia Gandhi at a convention of party workers in Varanasi on May 19