Congress scrambles for '1000 buses' to save Priyanka Vadra's blushes as Yogi accepts offer

After several BJP leaders claimed that list of buses that have been sent by Congress to CM Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to help migrants also consists of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and even 4-wheelers such as autos, bikes and cars, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has responded. 

'Please keep a list of passengers ready'

Sandeep Singh, Personal Secretary to Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in a letter to UP Additional Chief Secretary Home, said, "as requested by you buses will reach ida and Ghaziabad border at 5 pm today, please keep a list of passengers and route map ready to ensure smooth coordination"

Earlier, UP Minister Sidharth Nath Singh addressing media said, "We have done preliminary inquiry and it has come to surface that out of buses for which y sent details, many are turning out to be 2-wheelers, autos and goods carriers. It's unfortunate, Sonia Gandhi should answer why y are committing this fraud."

'You have expressed your inability...'

UP government on Tuesday asked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to provide buses for carrying migrants to district magistrates of Ghaziabad and ida, as war of words between Congress and state's ruling dispensation over issue seemed to be subsiding. development came hours after Congress mocked UP government' demand that party handover 1,000 proposed buses to state administration in Luckw by 10 am Tuesday.

In a letter written to Vadra's private secretary Sandeep Singh, UP's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said, "As per your letter dated May 19, you have expressed your inability to provide buses in Luckw, and want to provide m in Ghaziabad and ida."

"Please provide 500 buses to District Magistrate, Ghaziabad, by 12.00 on. DM Ghaziabad has been informed about this. district administration will receive all buses and utilise m," he said. buses should be provided at Kaushambi and Sahibabad bus stands, he said in letter.

He also said, "500 buses should be provided to District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar at ground near Expo Mart." Directions have been issued to district magistrates to utilise buses immediately after checking permit, fitness, insurance, driving licences of drivers and details of conductors, Awasthi said.

'Sending 1,000 empty buses to Luckw a waste of time'

state government on Monday had accepted Congress' offer to run 1,000 buses to bring migrant labourers back to state, a proposal which had triggered a war of words between two sides.

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In a letter to Awasthi early Tuesday morning, Vadra's private secretary Singh said an email was received from UP official at 11.40 pm Monday, asking that 1,000 buses be handed over at Luckw by 10 am Tuesday.

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"In a situation when thousands of workers are walking on streets and thousands of people have gared at UP borders at various registration centres, sending 1,000 empty buses to Luckw is t only a waste of time and resources but is also inhuman and product of an anti-poor mindset," Singh said in letter in Hindi.

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"This demand of your government seems politically motivated. It does t seem that your government wants to help our labourer brors and sisters who are facing a disaster," letter had said.

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(With PTI inputs)