Thursday, February 17 2005 14:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Advocating that youth Congress workers should undertake slum rehabilitation, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, (AICC) Ashok Gehlot today (Feb 17, 2005) said that the anti-poor perception of the people against the Maharashtra Government was growing.

"The recent slum demolitions in Mumbai has created such a perception," he said at a programme organised by Maharashtra youth Congress at Mumbai.

"After the demolitions in Mumbai, the message should be that the youth Congress is worried about the people," he said adding that injustice should not be meted out to anyone.

"Volunteers need to take a stand and only then will the people be with you. If you do not help them in their need, they will not forgive you," Gehlot said.

He said that even earlier the youth Congress volunteers should have issued statements in media and should have met the Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, conveying their sentiments.

Speaking on the occasion, President of Akhil Bharatiya youth Congress, Ashok Tanwar said that there should have been first rehabilitation and then demolition.

"Youth Congress should raise the issue and the party always supports what is correct," he said adding, "The decisions may be taken at the Government level but you should stand up for the cause."