New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS) The Congress Wednesday condemned police caning of party workers in Lucknow Tuesday, saying it reflected the Mayawati government's 'autocratic behaviour'.

'Police lathi charge on party workers was undemocratic and very unfortunate. It reflects the autocratic behaviour of Chief Minister Mayawati and her government,' Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told IANS.

Condemning the police action, he said workers and leaders of the party were not involved in any violence but were raising an issue of people's welfare. 'It is the democratic right of any political party to raise issues of concern to the people,' he said, adding that the Mayawati government was adopting harsh measures against opponents.

Workers and activists of the Uttar Pradesh Congress women's wing, led by the party's state unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, were caned by police in Lucknow after they attempted to meet Governor B.L. Joshi to submit a memorandum over 'growing atrocities' against women in the state.