Lack of development haunts Amethi people

Amethi: Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh is always in the limelight as it has become pocket borough of Nehru-Gandhi family.

Starting with Sanjay Gandhi, younger son of iron lady Indira Gandhi, in 1980, the constituency has been represented by one member of Gandhi family or the other for 33 years.

Rajiv Gandhi, who was elected from this constituency three times in a row, was Prime Minister from 1984 to 89. His son Rahul Gandhi has been representing it from 2004.

Despite being such a high-profile constituency with rich electoral history, Amethi, people here say, lacks proper development and industrialisation, forcing unemployed youth to migrate to other cities in search of work.

Dr Neelam Tiwari, Principal, Intermediate College, Amethi, says people are suffering a lot in Amethi district due to lack of development and lack of proper infrastructure. She points out herself as the example.

"What is there in Amethi? There is no development here, no good schools, no proper bus connectivity and no industries. That's why we built our house in Rae Bareli.

But commuting from Rae Bareli to Amethi every day is a Herculean task as the town lacks proper transport facilities too," she told The Hans India.

She hopes Rahul Gandhi will not take Amethi people for granted again if he wins this time. "People here think Amethi will get international limelight if they vote for Rahul and if he wins," she says.

Dr Neelam, however, has a soft corner for Smriti Irani, Union Minister and the BJP candidate who is contesting against Rahul here in this election.

"Smriti Irani has been trying to develop Amethi even though she had lost last elections. She brought Rifle factory and other projects.

But this is Rahul's kshetra," she feels. Anita, an employee who works in Mahila Helpline in Gauriganj, is also not happy with the lack of development in Amethi district.

"Rahul Gandhi did not do any development here. Amethi is still a small town and there are no employment opportunities," she points out.

Gauriganj is part of Amethi district and Gauriganj assembly seat falls under Amethi Lok Sabha seat.

Asked why people did not take their problems to the notice of Rahul Gandhi and did not ask to develop the constituency, she retorted: "Where to meet him? It is very difficult to meet him.

He came to Amethi on the day when he filed nomination on April 10. We have not seen him after that. Anyway, he doesn't come here regularly," she said.

KK Singh, who operates electric rickshaw in Gauriganj, points out that roads are in very bad condition. "See the roads in Gauriganj. How can we drive on such roads," he asks, pointing out at a damaged road in the town.

People also say that unemployed youth are migrating to other cities as there are no opportunities here.

"As there is no development and no industries here, many from villages and towns in the district are going to Lucknow, New Delhi and other Indian cities in search of work. That's the situation here," a resident of Amethi said.

Mohd Anwar Khan, president, Amethi chapter of All India Muslim Federation, who recently shifted his loyalties to BJP after a long stint with Congress, alleged that Rahul Gandhi destroyed the development done by his father.

"Rajiv Gandhi used to respect even a dog if it went to New Delhi from Amethi. People from here had so much respect in those days. That is not the case anymore," he said.

Pointing out that the late Rajiv Gandhi took care of the constituency and developed it very well, he said Rahul Gandhi did not do anything for Amethi during his 15-year stint as MP.

"Gandhi family has been winning here because of good work done by Rajiv Gandhi," he maintained.

Aradhana Misra, Congress MLA from Rampur Khas in Pratapgarh district of UP, who is playing an active role in Rahul Gandhi's campaign here, told The Hans India that a lot of development and industrialisation had taken place in Amethi.

"There are more than a dozen major industries, including BHEL in Amethi constituency. They are providing jobs to people here at a time when unemployment rate is very high in the country," she maintained.

She also pointed out that 16 industries that Rahul Gandhi brought here were cancelled by the BJP government at Centre.