Govt indulging in brazen loot of public money: Nitin Gadkari

BJP today launched its campaign in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh accusing the state government of indulging in brazen loot of public money and promising good governance and jobs to the youth if voted to power.

"A brazen loot of public money is going on both in Delhi and Lucknow. A slew of scams, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, scarcity of water, power and horrible condition of roads have left people looking desperatrely for change," BJP chief Nitin Gadkari said addressing a rally here to mark the beginning of the party's poll campaign in the state.

Before addressing the rally the BJP president paid obeisance at a temple here.

"If we get an absolute majority in Uttar Pradesh, 50 lakh unemployed youths of the state will get jobs. We will usher in an era of good governance by putting an end to both fear and hunger and setting the state on the path to prosperity, Gadkari told the rally.

However, he said the party will play the role of a responsible opposition if it does not get a majority.

Party incharge for UP Uma Bharti said BJP will have to be brought to power if people of the state want to get rid of both BSP and Samajwadi Party.

State BJP chief Surya Pratap Shahi said the four and a half years of Mayawati rule have been "detrimental" to the interests of the state.

Alleging a secret alliance between the Congress and BSP, he said while the two parties inveigh against each other in public they are hand-in-glove in Parliament promoting each other's interests.