New Delhi:
A substantial number of people in Uttar Pradesh has joined the Congress in the last one year, thanks to the Rahul Gandhi effect.
After its impressive performance in the Lok Sabha polls last year, when it more than doubled its tally of seats than the 2004 elections, Congress' membership in the politically key state has gone up by nearly 20 lakh.
A scrutiny of application forms in the run-up to the organisational elections has revealed that the membership has increased from 37 lakh last time to 57 lakh, according to party sources who claim that the impressive figure is more than that of any other party in the state.
As the members were enrolled only after they submitted their photographs and their application was verified, there is no scope for any bogus members, they said.
"The tremendous response has been due to the efforts of Rahul Gandhi. The people of the state recognise his leadership abilities and have full faith in him," a senior party leader from the state said.
Party leaders said the surge in membership bodes well for the party ahead of its "Mission 2012" to capture power in Lucknow where it has been out of government for the last two decades.
Assembly elections will be held in the state in early 2012 where Congress will be a serious contender for power after getting 22 seats in the May 2009 Lok Sabha elections, an increase of 13 seats from its 2004 tally.
The Amethi MP has been on the forefront for the party's revival in the state and makes frequent visits in the state taking up development issues.
In a bid to consolidate its gains from membership drive and as part of the party's 125th anniversary celebrations, Congress has also planned to take out 10 'rath yatras' in the state beginning April 14, the birth anniversary of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar.
The rath yatras titled 'ateet ki neev par bhavishya ka nirman' (building the future on foundations of the past) will prominently feature Rahul in the entire campaign along with the other leaders of the party in the past and important local icons.