Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka slams BJP’s misrule; calls for change in the state

Chikmagalure: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a mammoth election rally at Chikmagalure in Karnataka as part of her campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in the state on Saturday, launched a blistering attack on the ruling BJP government for cheating the people and ignoring the development in the state.

Sonia Gandhi started her address by striking an emotional chord with the people of Chikmagalure recalling how they had extended their support to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1978. “We cannot forget and we will not forget that the people of Chikmagalur, 35 years ago, lent a helping hand to my mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, when she needed it the most.  And I am here today to offer to you the helping hand of the Congress party now, because it is now you need it most” said Sonia Gandhi and the audience greeted it with huge applauds.

Slamming the BJP, the Congress President stressed that the present government in Karnataka betrayed the people's mandate and claimed that the people are looking for a change. “People want change and this feeling was seen in the recent local elections.. The need for change is now and you know better, why we need a change? You live here and you are suffering because of the bad governance of the BJP” said Sonia Gandhi in her first campaign rally in Karnataka, which goes to assembly polls on May 5.

"The BJP has completely betrayed the mandate of the people of Karnataka", she argued and continued “Immoral behaviour of the persons in the positions of power has crossed all limits. The law and order has collapsed. The mining mafia has destroyed the environment and has ransacked huge mineral resources, which are your property. Secular values of Karnataka society, in this region in particular, have been gravely damaged by fanatical elements only for their narrow and selfish political ends”.

Sonia Gandhi added that there was a time when industries competed with one another to invest in Karnataka but the situation now is opposite. She alleged that the industries are leaving Karnataka because of corruption, government interference and poor infrastructure. Noting that Karnataka has had a glorious past and brighter future awaiting, she said this is possible only if there is political stability. 

Taking a dig at BJP for frequently changing the Chief Ministers in the recent past, she said “For a brighter future for Karnataka, one should realise that stability is essential. We cannot afford governments, which keep on changing Chief Ministers every now and then.. A stable Government is the need of the hour in Karnataka”. 

“We (Congress party) reject any communal ideology. We reject any ideology or institution that spreads hatred and disunity” underlined the UPA Chairperson.

“Come out in large numbers on 5^th of May. Vote for Congress; caste your votes for stability; caste your votes for a future of pride of all the people of Karnataka and Chikmagalur” said Sonia Gandhi while concluding her address.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda talks about UPA's welfare policies for minorities

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. "The UPA Government at the Centre has given priority for the welfare, empowerment and upliftment of backward classes and minorities. We, for the first time ever, opened a new ministry for minority affairs. We have been implementing the recommendations of the Sachchar Committee. We also have identified 90 minority-dominated regions across the country, including Malda, and sanctioned a new package for development. We have upgraded the Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities and he has been personally supervising its progress" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda assures law to prevent crimes against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. "We will soon bring in legislation to prevent atrocities and crimes against women. We are trying to pass the Food security bill so that poor people of this country don't have to starve" said Sonia Gandhi."Education is also an important sector in the growth of the nation. Our UPA government under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh has given special attention to technical education and education. We have taken steps to update and upgrade technology in IITs, Medical colleges, universities and also have set up new technical institutes" she added.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda (West Bengal) talks about UPA's first ever all-women-bank proposal

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. "For the first time in the history of our country, Rs. 1000 cr has been allocated in the current Budget for an all-women bank, to help women in their business ventures. We are also constituting a Nirbhaya fund with Rs 1000 crore. This fund will be used to protect the honour and dignity of our sisters and daughters.

Sonia Gandhi at Bhagat Phool Singh University convocation function

International Women's day, inaugurated a Women Medical College in Haryana. She dedicated the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women to the nation on Friday at Khanpur Kalan in Haryana's Sonipat district. She also attended the first convocation ceremony at the University.

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP Govt in Gujarat for its anti-people policies

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi takes on BJP and says that the BJP government in Gujarat ignored the welfare of the people and development of the state.

Sonia Gandhi talks about the UPA's policy for farmers' welfare

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi explains about the various welfare measures taken by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She explained about the loan-waiving off policy for the poor farmers which helped them in a great extent.

Sonia Gandhi at Chintan Shivir stresses for the need to fight corruption

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while addressing her partymen on the concluding day of the Congress’ chintan shivir in Jaipur said corruption is a "deep rooted maliceand so the party must lead the struggle to counter its effect. "Let me reiterate corruption at all levels is a deep rooted malice and all sections of society are effected by it. As a party we must lead struggle to combat its effect,"  Sonia Gandhi.

The 'Chintan Shivir', the three-day Congress conclave began on Jan 18 and concluded on Sunday, Jan 20.  The Congress President also had said that corruption was the main concern of the nation when the party held its session at Burari in July 2011. Sonia Gandhi said that a five-point agenda to deal with corruption was given and the party has moved on with it.

The key among the steps taken was introducing Lokpal bill in the parliament and introducing more transparency in process of allocating natural resources, said Sonia Gandhi. "We have introduced path breaking legislation for grievance redressal, whistle blowers, and historic 'apka paisa apke hath' (your money in your hands, the direct cash transfer scheme) initiative," said the Congress President.

Congress has been under severe attack from opposition and civil society groups for several major corruption cases that surfaced during the tenure of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by the party.

Sonia Gandhi at Congress’ chintan shivir: Introspect why people should vote for us

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while speaking on the final day of the Jaipur AICC session said that people were getting disillusioned with the political process and urged party workers to introspect why people should vote for them.

"We must accept that people are getting disillusioned with the political process. We must introspect why they should vote for the party," Sonia Gandhi said, adding "Our answers should be clear and we have to explain it to people with simplicity and confidence."

Sonia Gandhi also urged party workers to oppose those who levelled false allegations on politicians, parties and institutions. The Congress president  also suggested a rethink on electoral reforms, especially political funding, saying she would set up a group in the party to examine the issue and suggest an action plan.

Congress president also said there was "no reason" the party should not get public mandate again if it works in the right way. "There is only 15 months left for the (2014) elections. I am confident, if we work in the right way and are united, there is no reason we should not get public mandate again," Sonia Gandhi said addressing the last day of Congress' 'Chintan Shivir'.

She said discipline and unity was needed, and also added that party members should publicise the good work done by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. "Several states are also going to polls. I think our biggest challenge is to be disciplined and united and present ourselves to people. The victory of the party is the victory of all of us," said Sonia Gandhi.

"We must tell the people of our country about our achievements. The government gives information from its side, but the party organisation should also publicise it," added the Congress President.

Sonia Gandhi: Discrimination against the girl child, atrocities against women are a blot on our collective conscience

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while speaking at the opening session of Congress’ chintan shivir at Jaipur sent out a strong message to party leaders asking them to understand the new emerging India, which is younger and less tolerant of the corruption it faces daily.

In the wake of the brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old woman aboard a moving bus in the capital and the continuing cases of violence against women, the UPA chairperson said, “With the greatest anguish I have to say that discrimination against the girl child continues.”

“Discrimination against the girl child, atrocities against women are a blot on our collective conscience. Gender issues are fundamental; the entire party must bring this to the heart of political activity and change mindsets”.

“Ostentatious display of wealth leads to the question where is this wealth coming from,” she said.

Sonia Gandhi also exhorted Congress leaders to come together setting aside personal ambitions and egos, so that the party thrives. “Our people are fed up with the corruption they face. We must understand this. Today’s India is better informed and equipped. The technology has led them to ask more of their leaders,” further said the Congress President. 

Sonia Gandhi wants welfare and development among all sections

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi always believed that development means welfare of the poor. If the poor and underprivileged sections of the society are not getting the benefits and they are not able to be a part of the path of progress, we cannot claim development, she always believed.

Sonia Gandhi also wanted the welfare of the youth also. That is why she had slammed the Modi govt. in Gujarat during her recent campaign for Congress. “Lots of youth are jobless in the state. The health and education facilities are insufficient here.  My sisters in this state have been facing atrocities because of the worsening law and order situation in the state. Why all these happening here? If the government had given attention to your problems, you would not have faced so many problems”.  The Congress President urged the people to support Congress and to bring back the state of Gujarat to the path of development.

Sonia Gandhi during her campaign had targeted the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the state and said that all sections of the society are suffering under the anti-people BJP regime. “For inclusive growth of urban pockets, we have implemented JNNURM. You will be amazed to know that 16 per cent of total grant has been spent only on one constituency” said Sonia Gandhi. “I do not want to take the name of this Assembly constituency. I think you all know,” she added, referring to road, BRTS and lake development that Maninagar, represented by Modi since 2002, has witnessed.

Sonia Gandhi lists out BJP government’s failure in Gujarat

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi during her recent campaigns for Congress in Gujarat had attacked the Narendra Modi led BJP government for making false claims on development. The Congress President alleged that BJP's promises are hollow and false.

For Sonia Gandhi, development means welfare of the poor. If the poor and underprivileged sections of the society are not getting the benefits and they are not able to be a part of the path of progress, we cannot claim development, she always believed.

Raking up the issue of malnutrition, Sonia Gandhi said that 4o percent children are suffering from malnutrition and ten lakh youths are jobless while government employees are being exploited. The Congress President said "it is unfortunate that false promises are made for getting mileage in elections".

"UPA government has been allocating 1000s of crores of rupees to various states, including Gujarat, without any bias. But nobody knows how this money is spent (in Gujarat)," said Sonia Gandhi. "Why is poverty still looming in the tribal population of the state? Why there is no change in the lives, position and financial condition of tribal," Sonia Gandhi asked. "There is no water in hilly villages of tribal areas, the BJP had shown you the dream of building 2.25 lakh lakes and dams... Where are they ?? Where is employment for the tribal people," she asked. The AICC president also said that Congress was responsible for the development of South Gujarat. The roads which you are seeing here are made under the Prime Minister rural road scheme. Sonia said that Congress stood with the people of Gujarat at the time of drought, earthquake and cyclones.

Sonia Gandhi alleged because of the policies of BJP government, the hardships of the common man have increased. "If the government attended to your problems, you would not have faced so many problems", said the Congress President.

The Congress leader also said the UPA government had waived loans to the debt-ridden farmers but their condition in Gujarat has not changed because of the "anti-people" policies pursued by the BJP government. Sonia Gandhi alleged that there are so many unemployed youths, malnourished children because of lack of education and health in the state.

Focussing the large number of women and girls, Sonia Gandhi said "women in the state, who works shoulder to shoulder, are also being torched, exploited and being harassed in Gujarat where situation of law and order is deteriorating."

Emphasising on effecting radical changes in Gujarat Sonia Gandhi said, "It is necessary to bring revolutionary change in Gujarat politics and only Congress can do that". The Congress President appealed to the people to fight against the state government's injustice and elect Congress.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 12

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
As chairperson of the National Advisory Committee and the UPA chairperson she played an important role in making the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information into law. She also actively involved in framing policies like mid-day meal scheme for the school children, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Anti Communalism Bill and Food security Bill. Sonia Gandhi is also keen to get the Women Reservation Bill implemented.
Pandit Nehru dreamt about a progressive nation. Indira Gandhi took his dream forward, Rajiv Gandhi put the country among the top nations in the world and today Sonia Gandhi leading India into becoming a strong and self reliant country.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 11

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
Sonia Gandhi campaigned for the Congress in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Congress managed to get a tally of 141 seats, largely due to her charismatic presence during the campaign. Travelling the length and breadth of the country in a whirlwind election tour Sonia caught the imagination of the masses by her emotional speeches. She was able to achieve an unexpected election success. The election results provided her with a unique opportunity to become India's Prime Minister. She sacrificed the post in favour of Dr Manmohan Singh.
Under her leadership India returned the Congress-led-UPA to a near majority in the 2009 general elections with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister for the second term. The Congress itself won 206 Lok Sabha seats, which was the highest total by any party since 1991. She was instrumental in framing a Common Minimum Program when UPA was formed the government. She knew well how to run a coalition government better.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 10

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
Thirty one years ago I came to India as a bride of Rajiv Gandhi. And now I will spend my life till my last in this country and nobody can take away this right from me', the statement shows her real love for India.
Sonia Gandhi suffered two heavy blows in her life. The first was the assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then the sad and brutal assassination of her husband and the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by the Tamil militants. Though she had accompanied Rajiv Gandhi in all his campaigns, she never took interest in the politics. Since Rajiv Gandhi's death, Sonia Gandhi led a life of near recluse for six years but for her appearances at a few official functions. But a number of Congress leaders and supporters looking for a charismatic personality to lead the party to electoral success kept sending their appeals to her to come and take over the party.
The Congress faced a big electoral setback after the Narasimha Rao regime and many people had started to write-off the Congress. The pressure to revive Congress party started increasing. She finally acceded to join politics in 1997. In 1998 she was elected as the leader of the Congress Party. She proved herself as an efficient Parliamentarian and she took on NDA.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 9

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
It was not a standalone case of compassion. Her life is replete of many such acts of kindness. She was deeply pained when the drastic Tsunami hit Indian coastal areas. Her concern for the aggrieved was also seen during the flood in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh or during the terrorist attack in Delhi or when a number of farmers were hurt in a police firing in Rajasthan.
While turning down the post of the Prime Minister she famously said -- I always listen to the voice of my inner conscience. I have said on many occasions that my target is not the Prime Ministership. Today my inner conscience tells me to politely refuse the post.
The Gandhi-Nehru family is known for the sacrifice they have made for the nation. They always found it supreme to serve the people and the country. The present Congress President Sonia Gandhi has proved on numerous occasions that she also finds it important to serve the nation than anything else. "Sacrifice for the nation is not the tradition of politics but it is the culture of our nation, the culture to serve the human kind," said Sonia Gandhi once.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 8

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
For Sonia Gandhi politics is not the means to attain power but a medium to serve the people. It became abundantly evident as she turned down the post of Prime Minister despite having led the UPA to victory in 2004 general elections. The movie on Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi covers all aspects of her life. Be it her political thought or career, marriage with Rajiv Gandhi, her emergence as an effective Congress leader, her love for India and her compassion for poor all of it is nicely strung together in the movie.
Welfare of the poor, underprivileged and the children has always been high on the Congress President's agenda. A case in point -- when a massive earthquake jolted Jammu and Kashmir she cancelled her other engagements in order to reach and console the victims without any delays. She was forthright in extending help and support to the affected people.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 7

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
As chairperson of the National Advisory Committee and the UPA chairperson she played an important role in making the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information into law. She also actively involved in framing policies like mid-day meal scheme for the school children, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Anti Communalism Bill and Food security Bill. Sonia Gandhi is also keen to get the Women Reservation Bill implemented.
Pandit Nehru dreamt about a progressive nation. Indira Gandhi took his dream forward, Rajiv Gandhi put the country among the top nations in the world and today Sonia Gandhi leading India into becoming a strong and self reliant country.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 6

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
Under her leadership India returned the Congress-led-UPA to a near majority in the 2009 general elections with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister for the second term. The Congress itself won 206 Lok Sabha seats, which was the highest total by any party since 1991. She was instrumental in framing a Common Minimum Program when UPA was formed the government. She knew well how to run a coalition government better.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 5

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
The Congress faced a big electoral setback after the Narasimha Rao regime and many people had started to write-off the Congress. The pressure to revive Congress party started increasing. She finally acceded to join politics in 1997. In 1998 she was elected as the leader of the Congress Party. She proved herself as an efficient Parliamentarian and she took on NDA.
Sonia Gandhi campaigned for the Congress in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Congress managed to get a tally of 141 seats, largely due to her charismatic presence during the campaign. Travelling the length and breadth of the country in a whirlwind election tour Sonia caught the imagination of the masses by her emotional speeches. She was able to achieve an unexpected election success. The election results provided her with a unique opportunity to become India's Prime Minister. She sacrificed the post in favour of Dr Manmohan Singh.