Congress will win in Uttar Pradesh polls: Manmohan Singh

Kanpur, Feb 17 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday expressed confidence that the Congress Party will win in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, and said that the state will once move ahead on the path of development under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"The election is approaching and the winds are in favour of the Congress. I believe that the Congress will win in the elections. Uttar Pradesh will once again move forward under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," Dr. Singh told a gathering here.

Dr. Singh also criticized Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Government in the state and her predecessor Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for not paying attention to development of the state.

"When I look at the development in Uttar Pradesh, it appears that in the last 22 years, the state is going backwards. The unemployment is increasing, the supply of water and electricity and the condition of roads is getting worse," said Dr. Singh.

"At one time, Uttar Pradesh had very good educational institutes, but now it has also gone down," he said, adding that Kanpur was one regarded as the 'Manchester of the East' for its trade prowess.

The Prime Minister further alleged that the central funds being sent for the development of the common man do not reach them.

"We have sent funds under various national schemes to Uttar Pradesh. Rs 24000 crore have been given to Uttar Pradesh government for roads alone. However, none of it has trickled down to the common man," said Dr. Singh.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state. new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March. The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)