Sonia Gandhi warns of challenges ahead

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while kicking off Congress’ Chintan Shivir which began in Jaipur sent a warning that there should not be any compromise on maintaining the unity among Congress workers. "Inroads have been made into our traditional support base (and) there are some states where we have been out of office for too long," said Sonia Gandhi.

This meeting will "enable us to introspect, look ahead, to look at our strengths and weaknesses", said the Congress President.

Sonia Gandhi said the meeting was taking place when Congress faces "serious challenges in states long considered" party strong holds.She conceded that some of the state welfare programmes espoused by the party had failed to reap the expected benefits. "The government under Manmohan Singh's leaderhip has enacted truly revolutionary programmes and historic legislations from our manifesto, but in some states we have not been able to translate this into political support," said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi urged the party workers to discuss all the issues pertaining to the party freely and frankly and said that this session would decide the future of the party. The Congress President also talked about India’s foreign policy, atrocities and against women, the issues related to the new generation and the organizational matters.

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.

Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: Opposition tries to weaken the democratic system

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday encouraged the partymen with an aggressive speech defending her party and the UPA government at the centre. She also argued that only Congress is committed to work for the benefits of the poor and underprivileged.

Slamming the opposition, Sonia Gandhi said “I want to make it clear that these parties are trying to weaken the democratic system of our country.  But we will never let them to do so.  Congress is a party that has always protected the nation’s constitution”.  “We never allowed anyone to disrupt the democratic principle of the system and we will never ever allow such trends. The people who never find it wrong to indulge in weakening our democratic system, will never find it wrong to spread rumours about others” warned the Congress President.

Taking an indirect jig at BJP Sonia Gandhi added “Those who are talking about corruption are finding themselves neck-deep in corruption.  There is a saying that there are wells waiting for those who dig caves for others”. 

“Corruption is a cancer which affects the common man the most. But we have fought this disease before and we will continue to fight this disease with all strength once again. We will fight all graft charges against us and none found guilty will be spared.  It was the Congress, which brought a strong legislation to tackle corruption – the RTI, through which any one can get information about the government” explained the Congress leader.

“You just ask yourselves whether anybody can bring such an important legislation, other than Congress? Such a law can be enacted by only a government which is committed to fight graft effectively and it is only the Congress” said Sonia Gandhi.

Several senior Congress leaders including General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also addressed the rally at the historic Ramlila grounds.

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Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday encouraged the partymen with an aggressive speech defending her party and the UPA government at the centre. She also reiterated that only Congress is committed to work for the benefits of the poor and underprivileged. Launching a scathing attack on opposition, Sonia Gandhi said “Today there a lot of rumours are being spread against the party and the government. The opposition is levelling several allegations of corruption against the government. What is the truth and untruth in these allegations needs to be understood well. The voters reposed faith in the Congress in 2004 and 2009. A few parties have not been able to digest this”. Slamming the opponents for the negative stance, the Congress President added “ They have been trying to weaken the government elected by the people and they continue to halt our welfare policies by frequently obstructing the function of the parliament. Why they are doing so? Why they are opposing the policies which are meant for the poor and aam aadmi? Why they are not allowing us to discuss the crucial issues affecting the people? “But I am sure that their real face will be exposed before the public” said Sonia Gandhi. Several senior Congress leaders including General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also addressed the rally at the historic Ramlila grounds. This article is posted by pressbrief.in

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday encouraged the partymen with an aggressive speech defending her party and the UPA government at the centre. She also reiterated that only Congress is committed to work for the benefits of the poor and underprivileged.

Launching a scathing attack on opposition, Sonia Gandhi said “Today there a lot of rumours are being spread against the party and the government. The opposition is levelling several allegations of corruption against the government. What is the truth and untruth in these allegations needs to be understood well.  The voters reposed faith in the Congress in 2004 and 2009. A few parties have not been able to digest this”.

Slamming the opponents for the negative stance, the Congress President added “ They have been trying to weaken the government elected by the people and they continue to halt our welfare policies by frequently obstructing the function of the parliament.  Why they are doing so?  Why they are opposing the policies which are meant for the poor and aam aadmi?  Why they are not allowing us to discuss the crucial issues affecting the people? “But I am sure that their real face will be exposed before the public” said Sonia Gandhi.

Several senior Congress leaders including General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also addressed the rally at the historic Ramlila grounds.

This article is posted by pressbrief.in

Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: Congress has always been working for the poor

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday encouraged the partymen with an aggressive speech defending her party and the UPA government at the centre. She also reiterated that only Congress is committed to work for the benefits of the poor and underprivileged.

“I feel very happy to see all of you at this historic Ramlila maidan.  I wholeheartedly welcome all the people who have joined us here from various parts of the country. We not only are glad to see you in large numbers but we also get encouragement and renewed energy from you” said the Congress President amidst cheers from the huge crowd.

Sonia Gandhi went on to say “You know that Congress party has always been working for the upliftment of the poor, aam aadmi, farmers, workers and all other sections of the people.  We not only led the freedom struggle but we also initiated the process of modernization in India. Our great leaders were an inspiration not only to us but also for the entire globe.  Congress always believed in secularism, and we have been working to unite the people.  No one can challenge us our commitment in this regard”.

Explaining the purpose of the mega rally, the Congress president said “We called this rally to make it clear that we will successfully challenge the serious socio-economical-political situation being faced at present”. Several senior Congress leaders including General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also addressed the rally at the historic Ramlila grounds.

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Sonia Gandhi addresses Congress rally in Delhi, defends Congress and UPA

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday encouraged the partymen with an aggressive speech defending her party and the UPA government at the centre. She also reiterated that only Congress is committed to work for the benefits of the poor and underprivileged.

“You know that Congress party has always been working for the upliftment of the poor, aam aadmi, farmers, workers and all other sections of the people”  she said.

Stressing that the Congress was a party of the common man, weaker sections, poor and farmers, Sonia Gandhi said no other party in the country could compete with it on secularism. “The voters reposed faith in the Congress in 2004 and 2009. A few parties have not been able to digest this. We will once again do well in the coming polls,” she argued.

Slamming the opposition for leveling baseless charges against Congress and the UPA government, Sonia Gandhi said, “The opposition is levelling several allegations of corruption against the government. What is the truth and untruth in these allegations needs to be understood well.”

Referring corruption the Congress President said “Corruption is a cancer which affects the common man the most. But we have fought this disease before and we will continue to fight this disease with all strength once again. We will fight all graft charges against us and none found guilty will be spared.  It was the Congress, which brought a strong legislation to tackle corruption – the RTI, through which any one can get information about the government”.

Taking a dig at BJP, Sonia Gandhi quipped “Those who are talking about corruption are finding themselves neck-deep in corruption.” She also slammed the opposition for trying to weaken the democratic system of the country.

Noting that the opposition had not allowed key legislations to be passed or allowed discussion on issues in parliament, she said the Congress would not allow them to succeed in their bid. “Congress is a party that has always protected the nation’s constitution,” said Sonia Gandhi.

This article is posted by pressbrief.in