Congress slams Uma Bharti for criticizing Rahul Gandhi

Lucknow, Jan 22 (ANI): The Congress Party here today, slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti for her remarks snubbing the Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi.

While briefing mediapersons in Lucknow on Sunday, Chief of Uttar Pradesh unit of Congress, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, said Bharti was sent to the state after facing a debacle in Madhya Pradesh.

Joshi went on to remark that Uttar Pradesh was in no dearth of leaders, to be waiting for Bharti's foray into the state.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party that she wanted to demolish and in Madhya Pradesh during her tenure, the way people snubbed her and her language, and her way of working because of that she cannot stand in Madhya Pradesh today. So she has been sent to Uttar Pradesh, but Uttar Pradesh is not backward that it is facing a dearth of leadership," said Joshi.

Uma Bharti who became the Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister in December 2003 had to step down in August 2004, after a court in Karnataka's Hubli city issued arrest warrant against her for fanning religious discord.

Bharti had earlier, criticised Rahul Gandhi, for calling her 'outsider' and commented over his contesting the elections from Uttar Pradesh, instead of New Delhi.

Joshi further criticised Samajwadi Party's recently released manifesto and dubbed it to be a populist step to attract votes.

"How the infrastructure will be improved, how the industries will come, how water, electricity and roads will be provided, these sops that they have promised, they cannot achieve them. These are merely meant for attracting votes of the people," said Joshi.

Polls in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted in seven phases, between February 8 and March 3 - to elect a 403-members to the provincial legislature, and the result would be out on March 6. (ANI)