Gandhi is the Lok Sabha MP from Rae Bareli, where voting will take place on February 23 on all five assembly seats of Rae Bareli (Sadar), Harchandpur, Bachchrawan, Sareni and Unchahar.

“We had brought several development schemes for you but the Modi-Yogi government banned all of them. Step-motherly treatment was meted out to Rae Bareli,” she said.

“You have seen the politics of Congress which is based on service of people and giving rights to people,” she said.

She said Congress workers worked hard in UP in the past five years and said 8,000 party workers were jailed while fighting for the rights of the people in the state.

“We are committed to pursuing a politics which makes your life better. We want to give you an MLA who works day and night for you, and makes policies that empower you,” Gandhi said. “In this election, strengthen the ‘hand’ (party symbol) of the Congress and select the politics which will make your future better. Ensure victory of all our candidates in Rae Bareli with a huge mandate,” she appealed.

Congress is faced with stiff challenge in Rae Bareli as its both MLAs (Aditi Singh and Rakesh Singh) have crossed over to BJP and are fighting on the lotus symbol.

Noting that Congress brought in legislation like MNREGS to empower people with the right to work and help them have a better life, Gandhi said it is a pity that during a crisis (pandemic), the budget for MNREGS was reduced instead of being increased.

(With inputs from agencies)