Rahul criticises Maya govt, BSP calls him a liar

New Delhi: The tug of war over Uttar Pradesh is now getting intense and venomous. Taking a eight-member delegation of farmers from Bhatta Parsaul to meet the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi on Monday openly accused UP chief minister Mayawati of State oppression.

He even charged that 74 farmers have been killed in the agitation over land in Greater Noida.

Rahul said, "The issue here is a more fundamental one with regard to these villages in particular and a large number of villages in UP all down the Agra highway, where state repression is being used, where people are being murdered. Quite severe atrocities taking place there. There is a large set of heaps of ash there with dead bodies inside. Everybody in the village knows it. We can give you pictures. Women have been raped, people have been thrashed. Houses have been destroyed."

Rahul also released pictures of mass grave in the area as proof that farmers were mercilessly beaten and killed and women were raped.

"What I am concerned about how we are treating our people. Most of the people (farmers) said that they are more than happy to give their land for development. They said if a road is being built, they have no problem. Most poor people want development in the country and they are ready for the sacrifice. The question is how we treat those poor people. Do we treat them fairly or do we brutalize them? And that is why I brought these people to the PM because after all they are Indian people and we have to look after their interests as well," Gandhi said.

The BSP of course questioned Rahul over his government's inability to pass Land Acquisition Act and accused him of concocting lies.

The two-day UP convention of Congress begins on May 18 and Mayawati is sure to be the target again. In 2009 it was waiver of farmer loans which gave the UPA a second term. Rahul hopes farmers will resurrect his party in the State.

But Mayawati knows she has an edge - strong organisation, solid Dalit base and a determination is giving her hope of sailing through. But the big battle for 2012 has already begun.

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