Rahul Gandhi predicts upswing in Congress' fortunes in UP

NEW DELHI: Congresss general secretary Rahul Gandhi considers the decision to play the role of a junior partner of the BSP in Uttar Pradesh in 1993 and the neglect of the organisation during the 1991-98 period as the chief reasons for the organisational meltdown in the state. “The Congress committed suicide in Uttar Pradesh by giving 300 seats to the BSP during the assembly elections in the 90s,” he said.

During 1991-98, the party was controlled by two members outside the Gandhi family -- PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri In an informal interaction with party MPs and ministers here, the Congress leader predicted an upswing in the party’s fortunes. He also claimed that the flagship schemes of the government like the MNREGA has created groundswell of support for the Congress at the grassroots.“

Beni babu told me that it’s difficult to fight the Congress in Uttar Pradesh,” Gandhi said.