Amethi, July 17 (ANI): Accusing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati of misusing government funds, Congress Party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Friday said Uttar Pradesh has place for only statues and elephants but not for the issues related to development of the state.

Addressing Congress workers here, Gandhi said: "Mayawati only has time to erect statues and nothing else. She has all the time for statues, but not time for governance or development of UP. Mayawati uses the development fund for statues, when she should be focusing on helping the state progress."

Gandhi did not comment on Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi's offensive remarks on Mayawati, but said: "The Uttar Pradesh Government lacks in basic development programmes."

Speaking on the shortage of power supply in his constituency, he said, "If you want power you should have a Congress Government in Lucknow. In three years, you have to form a Congress Government in Lucknow. Then, I will be able to respond to questions on power."

During his day-long visit, he is expected to meet people who were injured in the July 13 incident when police baton-charged a group that was protesting against the power crisis. (ANI)