Varanasi blast proves failure of Mayawati government: Congress

Congress today blamed Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh for the Varanasi blast, saying despite Centre's alert it failed to protect people.

"Despite alert being declared by the Centre on the occasion of December 6 (Babri mosque demolition anniversary), the blast in Varanasi proved state government's failure", Congress state president Rita Bahuguna Joshi told PTI.

The blast, a day after December 6, exposes tall claims of the BSP government, which is now claiming that it was not given any intelligence input, Joshi said in CSM Nagar here.

A year-old girl died and 37 others were injured in the blast that rocked a crowded bathing ghat last evening.

About Panchyat polls, she said the state government is misusing money and using muscle power to ensure victory of its candidates.

Alleging that corruption ruled the roost in Mayawati's reign, Joshi said recent collapse of a bridge in Banda just after inauguration was its example.

"The centre funds were misused and diverted by the state," she alleged.