Phulpur, Uttar Pradesh: In a constituency once represented by his great grandfather, Rahul Gandhi asked a crowd of thousands this morning, "Will you give us a chance for five years? We will transform Uttar Pradesh into one of India's better states." Around him in Phulpur, 30 kms from Allahabad, Congress flags fluttered in the wind. The roads leading to his rally had huge posters that paired him with Jawaharlal Nehru. His party's message was clear - Mr Gandhi is the official face of the Congress for its campaign in Uttar Pradesh. His mother, Sonia, will play a supporting role. In the state to which he has devoted most time and attention, Mr Gandhi will have to prove that he is more than a crowd-puller.
His speech - combative and direct - did not mention Mayawati by name, but there were plenty of references to her government and its many faults. Central government funds have gone missing, he alleged, money that could have helped the backward Bundelkhand had disappeared and Mayawati had not bothered to visit the region. UP is ruled by the mafia, he added. And then came the remark that unsettled Mayawati the most. (Read: Highlights of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Phulpur)
"How long will you beg in Maharashtra (for work)? How long will you work as a labourer in Punjab? It will take only five years and the change will come," he promised.
By the evening, Mayawati delivered her comeback. "People of UP are hardworking & proud, not beggars. Rahul's comment is wrong, insulting," she retorted in response to Mr Gandhi's remarks. The BJP also said Mr Gandhi's remarks were out of line. "How many times has Rahul Gandhi gone to Maharashtra and seen people from UP and Bihar begging there? He has hurt the sentiments of the people of UP," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.
In Maharashtra, where the Congress has always defended the migrant workers' rights from UP and Bihar, Mr Gandhi's comment drew a sharp response.
"Let him take them back to his home... When we say it, we are blamed. But now, isn't Rahul talking about regional politics? Now, isn't Rahul spoiling the country's mood?" Uddhav Thackeray, Executive President of the Shiv Sena said.
The Congress wasn't rattled. "The reaction of Opposition parties to what Rahul 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 Congress in UP," defended Congress spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.
If Mr Gandhi's shouldering of the UP campaign is not a give-away of how much is at stake in this state for different parties, there were plenty of other examples. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was seen personally photographing Mr Gandhi. 12 Samjawadi Party activists were arrested at the Prayag station in Allahabad for burning Mr Gandhi's effigy. And in moments caught on camera that the Congress likely wishes it could rewind, legislator Pramod Tiwari and minister Jitin Prasada were seen in a crowd of Congress workers beating up protestors at Mr Gandhi's rally.
"His helicopter had not even landed, the dust had not settled when these nine men advanced towards him, what was their intention? It's very easy to say that they were terrorists or belonged to some political party; all I knew was that they were about to attack Rahul Gandhi and I tried to stop them with all my might," Mr Tiwari said, defending their action.
Mr Gandhi has so far shied away from accepting a designation more expansive than Congress General Secretary. In recent weeks, his party spokespersons have been coy about reports that he is days away from being named the Working President. The Prime Minister said over the weekend that he will welcome a greater role for Mr Gandhi, but it will have to be a party decision. (Read: Will welcome any new responsibility given to Rahul, says PM) "There is a clamour for Rahul to take up more responsibility, but the decision will be his," said Digvijaya Singh, who is in charge of UP for the Congress. When asked about the posters that exclude Mrs Gandhi, he said, "Sonia-ji is still the decision-maker. As this is Rahul's rally, the posters show him."
The last time Phulpur voted for a Congress candidate was in 1984. So Mr Gandhi has his work cut out for him. In Uttar Pradesh, the political biggies are now swinging into action. Mayawati, looking for her fifth term as Chief Minister, has begun her campaign and is working on making her party more appealing to upper caste voters. Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party launches his campaign formally on Wednesday; his son, Akhilesh, is already touring the state with a cycle yatra. A 'rath yatra' with BJP veteran LK Advani will pass through the state soon. And two other yatras or tours organized by the BJP will culminate in Ayodhya on Thursday.
His speech - combative and direct - did not mention Mayawati by name, but there were plenty of references to her government and its many faults. Central government funds have gone missing, he alleged, money that could have helped the backward Bundelkhand had disappeared and Mayawati had not bothered to visit the region. UP is ruled by the mafia, he added. And then came the remark that unsettled Mayawati the most. (Read: Highlights of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Phulpur)
"How long will you beg in Maharashtra (for work)? How long will you work as a labourer in Punjab? It will take only five years and the change will come," he promised.
By the evening, Mayawati delivered her comeback. "People of UP are hardworking & proud, not beggars. Rahul's comment is wrong, insulting," she retorted in response to Mr Gandhi's remarks. The BJP also said Mr Gandhi's remarks were out of line. "How many times has Rahul Gandhi gone to Maharashtra and seen people from UP and Bihar begging there? He has hurt the sentiments of the people of UP," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.
In Maharashtra, where the Congress has always defended the migrant workers' rights from UP and Bihar, Mr Gandhi's comment drew a sharp response.
"Let him take them back to his home... When we say it, we are blamed. But now, isn't Rahul talking about regional politics? Now, isn't Rahul spoiling the country's mood?" Uddhav Thackeray, Executive President of the Shiv Sena said.
The Congress wasn't rattled. "The reaction of Opposition parties to what Rahul 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 Congress in UP," defended Congress spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.
If Mr Gandhi's shouldering of the UP campaign is not a give-away of how much is at stake in this state for different parties, there were plenty of other examples. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was seen personally photographing Mr Gandhi. 12 Samjawadi Party activists were arrested at the Prayag station in Allahabad for burning Mr Gandhi's effigy. And in moments caught on camera that the Congress likely wishes it could rewind, legislator Pramod Tiwari and minister Jitin Prasada were seen in a crowd of Congress workers beating up protestors at Mr Gandhi's rally.
"His helicopter had not even landed, the dust had not settled when these nine men advanced towards him, what was their intention? It's very easy to say that they were terrorists or belonged to some political party; all I knew was that they were about to attack Rahul Gandhi and I tried to stop them with all my might," Mr Tiwari said, defending their action. Mr Gandhi has so far shied away from accepting a designation more expansive than Congress General Secretary. In recent weeks, his party spokespersons have been coy about reports that he is days away from being named the Working President. The Prime Minister said over the weekend that he will welcome a greater role for Mr Gandhi, but it will have to be a party decision. (Read: Will welcome any new responsibility given to Rahul, says PM) "There is a clamour for Rahul to take up more responsibility, but the decision will be his," said Digvijaya Singh, who is in charge of UP for the Congress. When asked about the posters that exclude Mrs Gandhi, he said, "Sonia-ji is still the decision-maker. As this is Rahul's rally, the posters show him."
The last time Phulpur voted for a Congress candidate was in 1984. So Mr Gandhi has his work cut out for him. In Uttar Pradesh, the political biggies are now swinging into action. Mayawati, looking for her fifth term as Chief Minister, has begun her campaign and is working on making her party more appealing to upper caste voters. Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party launches his campaign formally on Wednesday; his son, Akhilesh, is already touring the state with a cycle yatra. A 'rath yatra' with BJP veteran LK Advani will pass through the state soon. And two other yatras or tours organized by the BJP will culminate in Ayodhya on Thursday.
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