Talking about Mulayam and the issue of 18% reservation to Muslims, Rahul says, “Mulayam says that he is well wisher of Muslims but allied with Kalyan Singh. When the Sachar committee proposed reservation for Muslims, he opposed. When people asked him about quota for Muslim under other backward class category, he remained silent. But when we provided reservation to Muslims, Mulayam opposed and demanded 18% quota”.

Rahul said. “Mulayam should answer whether or not he will provide 18% quota to Muslims in government jobs and government educational institutions, if voted to power. Will he include this provision in his manifesto? We promised and gave loan waiver to farmers. We promised and gave package to weavers. We promised and gave package to Bundelkhand. We promised and reservation to Muslims. We fought for farmers at Bhatta-Parsaul and Tappal. Congress always fulfills its promises, whereas Opposition only play caste and communal politics”.

Opposition is alleging that Rahul is visiting to villages of UP due to election but giving reply to the opposition’s charges, he said, “Mulayam and Mayawati do not go to people because they don’t feel for them anymore”.

Further praising people of Uttar Pradesh he said that people of UP can prove that they are far ahead of others if opportunities are provided to them. He said, “I have come here to transform UP. If voted to power, Congress governments at the Centre and in the state will develop the state in 10 years.”

Yesterday he criticised BJP for showing double face on the issue of corruption. He said one side LK Advani took out a rath yatra against corruption and other side their party included the most corrupt BSP leader Babu Singh Kushwaha into BJP.

The welfare of Australia’s elite cricketers has become a concern after Shiv Sena supremo warned on Wednesday that activists planned to disrupt matches in the Indian city of Mumbai because of attacks on Indians living in Australia.

Gilchrist is one of the Australians, including captain Ricky Ponting and former stars Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds, set to appear in the IPL-3, which begins on March 12.

The former wicketkeeper is keen to return for defending champions Deccan Chargers, but he will adopt a wait-and-see approach as Australian cricket authorities assess the security threat on the sub-continent, the Daily Telegraph reports.

“Adam is aware of the situation and he is always very mindful of the security concerns in India. Adam was looking to play in this year’s tournament but it is always a worry when statements like that (made by Shiv Sena) are being made,” his manager Stephen Atkinson said.

“Ultimately, he will be guided by the views of Cricket Australia and security experts. He is intending to go, but any final decision is subject to travel and security advice by Cricket Australia and the ACA (Australian Cricketers Association),” he added.

Meanwhile, off-spinner Jason Krejza says Shiv Sena’s threats are unlikely to stop him travelling to India.

Krejza is one of 11 Australians planning to make their debut in the 2010 Twenty20 tournament after entering his name in the IPL auction, which takes place on Tuesday.