Outsiders will flock UP for jobs if Congress is voted to power: Rahul Gandhi

Sharpening his attack against the opposition parties ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday said if voted to power his party would revive the fortunes of the state and people from outside will flock UP for jobs.

"In the last 22 years, the opposition parties have pushed UP far behind in the development index. If Congress is voted to power, it will led the state to prosperity and development like Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra," he told a rally in Kannauj.

"The people here are very hardworking and talented...they will not migrate to other places as they will find sources of income within the state itself. Outsiders will also come to the state in search of job opportunities," the Congress MP from Amethi constituency said.

Hitting out at the ruling BSP, he said, "The benefits of centre-sponsored development schemes are not reaching the people of the state. The fund allotted for the development of Bundhelkand region were not utilised properly."

"Elephants normally eat leaves. But you have a magic elephant in Lucknow which eats currency notes meant for development of the state...It has also digested the money allotted for MNREGA scheme in Bundelkhand region and health schemes," Gandhi, who is on a five-day tour to UP, said.

Without naming BJP and SP, Gandhi said while some parties are playing caste and religion based politics, Congress is asking votes for the sake of development of the state.