New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): The Congress Saturday strongly reacted to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's charge that the nod to foreign investment in retail was prompted by party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is interested in extending benefits to his foreigner friends through the policy.

"It is wrong and baseless to say the policy decision was taken to benefit Rahul Gandhi's friends," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told IANS.

"In fact, the move will help create more jobs and add to flow of foreign funds in India."

According to Alvi, "If Mayawati says she will not allow FDI in retail, it will be a loss to Uttar Pradesh and its people".

"...the people of Uttar Pradesh are going to remove her from power in the upcoming assembly elections," he said.

Earlier in the day, Mayawati pointedly blamed Gandhi for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's nod to foreign equity in retail and alleged the move was taken to benefit his foreigner friends.