Amethi panchayat president,other Congmen join SP

Rahul was in Amethi to inaugurate a mega food park at Jagdishpur.

Pasi’s daughter Anita Rakesh is already in the SP and is the district panchayat president of Sonbhadra. Pasi is also related to former MLA and senior Congress leader Shiv Balak Pasi of Amethi.

“In politics you need respect,which is not possible in Congress. It is a misnomer that you are important if you hail from a VIP constituency. We did not get respect from Congress and its leaders,” Pasi said.

She also said development works were neglected in the district with Rahul making only occasional visits.

After joining the party,Pasi also met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at his

residence.

“Kamla Devi Pasi has been inducted in the party fold on the instructions of the Chief Minister. She met Mulayam Singh Yadav Sunday who gave his permission. It should be an eye-opener for the Congress,which is fast losing ground among people,” SP’s state spokesperson Rajendra Choudhary said.

Minister of State Gayatri Prasad Prajapati,who was instrumental in facilitating Pasi’s crossing over,said Rahul has betrayed Amethi and people have now rejected him.

“They make lofty claims of development. However,there has been no development in Amethi. All development works have been done by our government,” the minister said.

Prajapati had won from Amethi Assembly seat and was rewarded with a ministerial berth by Akhilesh. “Rahul can’t understand poor people. The visits of Gandhi family to Amethi are like picnics. The SP gives respect and opportunities to the poor. I myself became MLA and then minister,” he said.

SP leaders were,however,silent whether the party will contest the Amethi Lok Sabha seat. In 2009,the SP had not contested from Amethi. Even now,the SP is yet to declare candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats.

“The decision will be taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav and the central parliamentary board,” Choudhary said.

Prajapati,however,claimed the SP is now on a strong footing in Amethi and can give Congress a run for its money. “We are getting good response with people leaving Congress and joining us. It will be a tough election but the final decision rests on our leadership,” he said.