Amidst the slogans of 'Jai Waris Ali Shah pak, kar Rahulji ki naiya paar; and 'Ya Waris Ali sarkar, kar do Rahul ka beda par', Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi kicked off his party's campaign in Uttar Pradesh after seeking the blessings at the famous Dewa Sharif shrine in Barabanki on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, Rahul will seek the blessings of the deity at the Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi before winding up his two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh. Before launching his two-day election campaign in the state by holding roadshows on a 50-kilometre-long stretch in Barabanki and the adjoining state capital, Rahul went to the dargah of Waris Ali Shah in Dewa Sharif on Friday afternoon to seek the blessings of sufi saint.
Clad in jeans and kurta, Rahul offered 'chadar' at the shrine and sought blessing for the success of his party in the coming lok Sabha election. The Congress leader started his roadshow from Mathi market on the Deva-lucknow road. Sitting at the top of a land cruiser along with local Congress MP Pl Punia, Rahul waved at the people and accepted flowers from them throughout the route from Mathi to Dewa and then from Dewa to Barabanki city.However, there were reports that the Congress vice-president faced protest by a hundred members of the Gram Rojgar Sevek Sangh near the residence of Punia in Barabanki city. later Rahul met the protesters and assured
them to solve their problems. During his 10-minute stay at the Dewa Sharif shrine, the Congress leader went around the dargah and the clerics there blessed him with success in the election. When Rahul was offering 'chadar' at the dargah, the Congress workers were raising slogans outside, seeking divine blessings for their 'yuvraj's' success in the election and his becoming the prime minister.
During his visit to the holy shrine, Rahul was accompanied by All-India Congress Committee general secretary Madhusudan Mistri, who is incharge of party in UP, party's state president Nirmal Khatri, Central minister Jitin Prasada and several state leaders. Earlier, Rahul called upon women to realise their strength and contribute to the development and progress of the country and also their families.
"I have not come here to seek your votes but to remind you of your powers. like a big elephant is unaware of his strength and keeps roaming in the jungle, you too are not aware of your strength. Women should know their strength," he said why calling upon women to come forward as the country and the state could progress only if they actively participate in development and joined the mainstream.
While interacting with Anganbari workers and mid-day meal cooks, mostly women, at Chinhat, Rahul did not miss the opportunity to attack his opponents. "We wanted to introduce the Women's Bill and empower you all but you all must be aware that the Samajwadi Party, which is ruling in UP, as well as lalu Yadav's party and some other groups opposed it," he said. Several women complained about their low wages.
When a youth asked how could the Samajwadi Party be removed from the government, Rahul smiles and moved on to another question.Most of the grievances were about jobs, and they were aired particularly by women. But Rahul made no direct comment and only asked them people to realise their strength. He, however, said that through self-help groups lakhs of women had found employment and were making important contribution to the incomes of their families.
On his arrival the state capital in the morning, Rahul was given a warm welcome by Congress leaders at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport at Amausi. He also held an interaction session with the editors and bureau chiefs of prominent newspapers, electronic channels and magazines before moving ahead to launch the poll campaign of his party in the state. All along the route, the UP Congress Committee had arranged a grand welcome of their leader.