Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday embarked upon a five day mass contact programme of eastern Uttar Pradesh by addressing a rally in Barabanki.

Addressing Congress workers, Rahul Gandhi said that Centre has launched several pro-poor programmes such as MNREGA but their benefits are not reaching the needy in Uttar Pradesh because of the faulty implementation by the state government.

He said ministers, politicians and officials are exploiting welfare programmes for their personal benefit.

Rahul Gandhi said the package announced recently for weavers will benefit them substantially.

Further he said, based on suggestions from weavers, it has been ensured that the benefits will directly reach the weavers.

Rahul Gandhi will meet party workers and leaders besides addressing public meetings in five districts of Barabanki, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti and Kushinagar districts.