Congress MP Rahul Gandhi alleged on Thursday that Uttar Pradesh had lagged behind other states during successive non-Congress regimes and asserted that he was in the state to play a 'long innings'.

Addressing an election rally, the star campaigner of Congress accused the state government of 'not properly using the funds given to it by the Centre'.

"UP is lagging behind...The youth of the state are migrating to Punjab, Haryana and other states," Rahul said asking the people to support the Congress to ensure development of the state.

"Successive non-Congress regimes have only divided the country in the name of religion and caste and development has been ignored," he said.

The young MP said he was in the state to play a 'long innings' and was ready to work with the youths to usher in a 'new era of development and progress in UP'.

Rahul was accorded a rousing reception upon his arrival in the town and showered with flower petals at various places. He mingled freely with the people after the rally, shaking hands with them.

He was accompanied by senior Congress leader Satish Sharma and UPCC President Salman Khursheed.