Despite the BSP criticising her visits to Dalit houses in her constituency as an “eyewash”, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi continued with the tour of Rae Bareli on Wednesday, visiting more villages and hearing the grievances of the people.

At Kandhravan and Jabaripur villages, Gandhi made inquiries regarding the implementation of NREGS and whether workers were being regularly paid.

The villagers told her about the difficulties they face in getting BPL cards, widow and old-age pension and benefits of schemes like the Indira Awas Yojna, among others. Gandhi asked the officials accompanying her to look into these matters.

At Mirza Inaitullah Ganj, a Dalit couple came up with an unusual complaint. Puddan and Bitana were childless. About three months ago, they brought home an abandoned newborn. As they were not aware of the legalities surrounding an adoption, the administration and the police were harassing them, alleged the couple. Hearing this, Gandhi asked the officials to help the couple to formally adopt the baby.

After her three-day tour, Gandhi returned to New Delhi in the evening. Congress sources said that next week, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will undertake an extensive tour of his constituency Amethi.

Regarding the BSP’s criticism on the visits, UPCC media cell chairman Vivek Kumar Singh said: “May-awati calls herself a leader of the Dalits. But she does not visit them and stays behind thick boundary walls. When leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi visit Dalit houses to listen to their problems, Mayawati criticises them.”

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