Time to change UP govt: Rahul

Keeping up the pressure on the Uttar Pradesh government, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP, yesterday launched another vitriolic attack on Mulayam Singh Yadav by charging that there was no governance in the state, only "drama".

Gandhi asked the people to bring about a change in UP, an exhortation that will not go down well with the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is both an ally of the Congress and its partner in the anti-communal front.

"This situation will not continue for long," Gandhi said. "It is your (people's) responsibility to change the government," he added.

Later in an informal chat with reporters, Gandhi rubbed more salt on the SP's wounds by alleging that the law and order situation was "bad" not just in Amethi but in the entire state.

Gandhi's statement will be hailed by a demoralised and tired Congress in the state, which fears that it will be reduced to a minor partner in the UP government if its association with the SP continues.

Gandhi referred to the murder of a Congress worker in the area and said other incidents had "exposed the deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. In an apparent indictment of the state government, he said "its attitude towards Amethi is wellknown."

He, however, evaded a reply when asked about imposition of the President's Rule in the state. Gandhi was flooded with complaints about acute power shortage, poor roads and other problems as he mingled with the people at different villages.

He is scheduled to hold a meeting of party workers at the Munshiganj guest house, where he will spend the night.