All-India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi [Images] began his two-day tour to Bundelkhand from Wednesday to assess the drought by directly interacting with people.

He blamed the Mayawati government for the 'continuous drought' in the region.

"Had the UP government honestly implemented the Centrally-sponsored schemes, the situation would have been different," Rahul  said.

He said the Congress was serious on the Bundelkhand drought issue and would very soon announce a hefty package on the lines of Vidharba package.

During the tour, he also met the members of Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha, fighting for a seprate Bundelkhand state. He assured them that their demand would be fulfilled soon.

The Morcha, led by renowned TV star Raja Bundela, met the young MP and apprised him of their demands, which they claim was the only solution for ending the backwardness of the impoverished Bundelkhand region.

"Rahul Gandhi has conveyed that Centre has in principal accepted the concept of the separate Bundelkhand state, which will comprise several districts of UP and MP," Bundela said here.

"You will have a good news soon," Rahul had assured the Morcha.

Photograph: PTI