New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday released the Congress’ manifesto for the youth of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the assembly elections, saying only the party can give a new vision to the youth in the state. Addressing a press conference at the launch of the ‘youth manifesto’ called ‘Bharti Vidhan’, Rahul Gandhi said the vision document is “not hollow words” but has been drafted after consulting youth whose views are reflected in it.
In the manifesto, the party resolved to fill the “massive backlog” of jobs in the public sector and promised 20 lakh jobs of which eight lakh would be for women.
“The youth in Uttar Pradesh need a new vision and only Congress can give that vision to the state,” the former president said.
“We don’t spread hatred, we unite people and we want to create a new Uttar Pradesh with the strength of youth,” Rahul Gandhi added.
In her remarks, party leader Priyanka Gandhi said the biggest problem in the state is recruitment and the youth are disappointed.
She said her party in UP wants the focus to be on development and not on negative propaganda based on caste or communalism that is going around.
Asked whether her party would be willing to align with other Opposition parties if the need arises post elections in order to implement the vision unveiled by the party, Priyanka Gandhi told reporters, “If such circumstances arise and in the event that they do, we would be open to considering that. I would say that if such a situation arises then we would certainly want our agenda for the youth and women to be fulfilled if we were going to be part of any such dispensation.” To another question on the chief ministerial face of the party and what would be the party’s strategy on it going into polls, the party general secretary said, “Do you see any other face in UP from the Congress’ side? Then?” When pressed, she said, “Can’t you see my face visible everywhere?” In his remarks at the press conference to launch the ‘youth manifesto’, Rahul Gandhi said the vision document is “not hollow words” but drafted after consulting youth whose views are reflected in it.
The party is going to the polls with the focus on youth and women and has announced that it will reserve 40 per cent of tickets for women in Uttar Pradesh. Polling for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled to be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7 and the counting of votes will be held on March 10.
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
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