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UP is run by touts. People are to be blamed: Rahul

Firing a fresh salvo at the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said dalals (touts) were running the show as people of the state were 'divided'.

"You are not together. Uttar Pradesh is divided and that is why dalals (touts) are running the state," Rahul said, addressing people in this village on the third day of his padayatra to Aligarh.

"You may not like it. But this is true. Since you are not together that is why this is happening here. Unless you unite, you will continue to suffer. Unless you don't understand what is happening, the train will not come on its track," the young Congress leader told the villagers.

Rahul began his footmarch on Thursday from Sarole village in the district at 6.30 am and walked about 7 km to reach Kirpalpur on his way to Aligarh, where he is slated to address a 'kisan mahapanchayat' on July 9.

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'I wish to help everyone'

Rahul said he had come all the way from Delhi to convey his concerns to farmers and the people of Uttar Pradesh.

"I started my padayatra from Bhatta-Parsaul, which saw the operation by the Mayawati government on farmers in which many people were killed," he said.

"I wanted to meet you personally and hear to your problems," he told the farmers.

Rahul said: "I have met a number of farmers so far and have not met a single one who does not want development. All farmers wish to get involved in the development process and in the progress of the state. Your land is pure. It is being taken away from you forcibly and they don't give adequate price."

"I am with you irrespective of caste. For me, everyone are human beings. I wish to help everyone and the people of Uttar Pradesh," he added.

'No farmer is saying that we are against development'

Citing the example of neighbouring state of Congress-ruled Haryana, Rahul lauded its land acquisition policy and said 'farmers were happy in Haryana and there are no problems there'.

"Unlike here (UP), in Haryana there were no dharnas either as the farmers were paid market rates for their land acquired. That is not done here," he said.

He also lamented that no other state has acquired as much land as done by the Uttar Pradesh government.

"No farmer is saying that we are against the building of roads of development, but we want to get involved in this development process. It is the government's duty to include all of them in this development process. Wherever I go the farmers are ready to give land but are asking for their rights," the Congress leader said.

He also compared the policy of the two states while acquiring the agriculture land.