An editorial in the Dainik Jagran says Mayawati’s reaction to Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Bundelkhand is justified but adds that her threat to withdraw support to the government is baseless. The BSP’s support is not going to make any difference to the UPA government right now but it would be interesting to see what Mayawati does three months from now, it says.

Extending support to Mayawati’s demand that the Centre release a special package for Bundelkhand, the editorial says Rahul Gandhi may be bringing forth the problems of the farmers of Bundelkhand but he’s not making an effort to get them relief from the Centre. The article does not spare the state government either. It points out that the benefits of central schemes never reached the villagers because of the indifferent attitude of the state bureaucracy. Expressing concern, the editorial says that despite frequent changes in the official machinery, nothing ever changes on ground in the state.

An article in the Rashtriya Sahara calls Mayawati’s reaction a “result of nervousness” after she saw Rahul’s interacting with the people of UP. It quotes UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, saying that whether it was Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi, it has been a Congress tradition to work in close proximity with Dalits. Rahul Gandhi is making an effort to ensure that the backwards and Dalits get what is their due. His is not a political move; he is actually working for the rights of the Dalits, adds the article

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