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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Sonia Gandhi in Delhi slams opposition for spreading rumours about 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.
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.

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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.

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Sonia Gandhi congratulates Obama

Sonia Gandhi congratulates Obama

New Delhi: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi congratulated Barak Obama for his second term as UIS President. “India and the US would work together not just for bilateral ties but for the larger good of humanity in the times to come”, she said to Obama in her congratulatory message.
“Please accept my heartiest congratulations and best wishes as you commence your second innings as president,” Ms Gandhi said in her letter to Mr Obama on Wednesday. “I firmly believe that in the times to come, India and the United States, being two largest democracies of the world, will work together not only in the bilateral context but also for the larger good of the humanity,” Ms Gandhi said in the letter, which was released to the media on Thursday. Recalling her meeting with Mr Obama in November 2010, when he addressed the Indian Parliament, Ms Gandhi said it provided her an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with the US president.
“The results of this year’s historic election are a re-affirmation of the faith American people have in your (Obama’s) leadership, in the backdrop of the challenging global economic environment,” she said. “The people of India have a special admiration for you. Your inspiring address to the Indian parliament, where you invoked the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, resonated across the political spectrum in our country.” Ms Gandhi said Mr Obama had “steered the nation through a difficult period even as the leaders across the world were grappling to meaningfully address the fallout of the crisis” adding “You also played a crucial role in bringing together leaders from across the world to shape a collective response to the crisis under the G-20 framework.”

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Sonia Gandhi urges ministers to Fulfill the unfulfilled promises in the 2009 manifesto

Sonia Gandhi urges ministers to Fulfill the unfulfilled promises in the 2009 manifesto

Surajkund: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday set the agenda for her party, saying it should understand the problems of government. She also slammed the opposition for spreading false propaganda against the central government.
Addressing a meeting of top central ministers and Congress Working Committee members in Surajkund on the outskirts of Delhi in Haryana the Congress president said: “Our detractors and the opposition are bent upon spreading disinformation on political, moral and policy issues,” she said. “We have to respond aggressively to their false propaganda. We know that in reality their intention is to grab power at any cost, notwithstanding the fact that their greed could weaken democracy, equality, sovereignty and secular values,” added Sonia Gandhi. She also had some words of advice for the Congress leaders in ministries and said that those in the government should strive hard to fulfill unfulfilled promises in the 2009 manifesto.
She also said that there should be constant dialogue between the party and the government. Calling for the unity between the government and the party, Gandhi said, “We are one family.” She said that the meeting was to ensure better coordination between the government and the Congress. She also sent a firm message to the ministers to listen to party workers’ problems. She admitted that certain government policies have caused pain to the common man. Praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress president said that he has done a great job. She called upon the ministers to visit state party offices.
The meet attended by top central ministers and Congress Working Committee members will also see the party reviewing the extent of implementation of the promises made in its manifesto for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

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Sonia at Samvad Baithak’ calls for balanced view between Party and govt

Sonia at Samvad Baithak’ calls for balanced view between Party and govt

New Delhi: At the meeting – Samvad Baithak- of about 70 top Congress leaders, party President Sonia Gandhi outlined the Congress strategy for the next elections when the party will ask voters for a third consecutive term in power.
Mrs Gandhi, who surprised her party colleagues by boarding their bus along with her son Rahul to Surajkund on the outskirts of Delhi, stressed the need for a better and closer relationship between the party and the government that it leads. “Discussions do happen between the two, but only when really big decisions need to be taken,” she said in her opening remarks.
“Sometimes the party is unhappy with decisions taken by the government. Both views have to be balanced,” she stressed. Sonia Gandhi, who has been urging her party not to sound defensive while being torpedoed by corruption charges, said, “Our detractors want to grab power at any cost, notwithstanding that their greed would weaken democracy and secular values.” Those in the government should strive hard to fulfill unfulfilled promises in the 2009 manifesto, she added..
The Congress leadership has shortlisted three key issues – the current political situation, economic challenges and its track record in fulfilling poll promises – as its agenda for the meet. Each of the 70 delegates (35 party leaders and 35 ministers) who are supposed to be present at the meeting – christened Samvad Baithak – has been given a copy of the 2009 Congress manifesto for easy reference. “You know coalition governments present some difficulty, but we have to review its implementation,” said Janardhan Dwivedi, the Congress general secretary, who is in-charge of organising the session.
The meeting also discussed the current political situation and the economic challenges before the country, Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi had said recently. The meet is being described in Congress circles as a “review-cum-strategy” session.

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Sonia Gandhi at NIFT, Raebareli recollects Indira Gandhi’s dress sense

Sonia Gandhi at NIFT, Raebareli recollects Indira Gandhi’s dress sense

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi attended the convocation of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and laid foundation stone of its new building at her Parliament constituency, Raebareli.
While addressing the gathering, the Congress President said “In my view fashion does not mean opulence. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was a Member of Parliament from this constituency, had an innate sense of fashion and the simplicity of her elegance was admired all over the world”.
Appreciating the dress sense and simplicity of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Congress President said “Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was a Member of Parliament from this constituency, had an innate sense of fashion and the simplicity of her elegance was admired all over the world”.
Expressing her happiness to lay the foundation stone for the permanent centre Sonia Gandhi said “Five and half years back I was privileged to start the NIFT centre at Raebareli at its temporary premises and today I am delighted to have laid the foundation stone for its permanent centre and also addressing this convocation”.
“Adding more and more ornamentation to our garments is very easy but that does not add up to the fashion. To find the right colour combination, cut and proportion in a garment to ensure that it is comfortable as well is more challenging for a designer but it results in a garment that is timelessly stylish and elegant” added and Member of Parliament from Raebareli.
NIFT, Rae Bareli, is the first centre to be set up in any backward area of the country and the foundation was laid by Sonia Gandhi. The Raebareli NIFT Centre had become operational from August, 2007. In November 2007, the government had decided to set up a full-fledged permanent Centre in place of an extension Centre at Raebareli.

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Sonia Gandhi in Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) takes on BJP

Sonia Gandhi in Kangra (Himachal Pradesh) takes on BJP

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a well attended Congress rally on Tuesday at Kangra in poll bound Himachal Pradesh- slammed the ruling BJP government in the state for lack of development in the state. “What BJP did for this state in the past five years? Why the state of affairs is so pathetic here? In the past five years they did nothing in the fields of tourism, education, roads and other infrastructure. The educated youth here are jobless. The farmers and other workers also have been facing hardships at present. The life of my sisters here are full of troubles. The BJP is bothered not about the interests of the people but only about themselves”, said Sonia Gandhi.
Attacking the BJP government for not implementing the central schemes effectively, the Congress President continued, “The UPA Government at the centre released huge financial assistance for education, health, employment generation and welfare of the women. But it is very sad that the state government did not use these funds properly and as a result the benefits of the central schemes did not reach the poor. There is no improvement in the lives of the poor. The people face a lot of difficulties because of the lack of facilities in education and health. You should keep all these facts in mind before casting your votes and I appeal to all of you to ensure the defeat of the anti-poor BJP government here”.
Referring the price rise Sonia Gandhi said “We are facing challenging situations right now. You must be aware that few years back the world witnessed serious economic crisis. The situation is worse in some parts of the world even today. We also had to face a lot of trouble. We have to buy most of the oil from outside and the prices of the same has increased manifold. The increase in the prices puts pressure on us also. The UPA government still is making an effort to support people; why can’t state governments do the same for people?” and asked “Is it not the responsibility of the state governments also to take all possible measures to help the poor in their states? In Congress- ruled states, economically weaker sections get three extra LPG cylinders and they also reduced the VAT on fuel”.
Sonia Gandhi then talked about the benefits of Foreign Direct Investment in retail. “The UPA Government is committed to protect the interests of the farmers. That is why we helped them by waiving off their loans. The farmers in villages are forced to sell their products for cheaper prices and those were later sold in cities for big prices. We want the farmers get proper and adequate prices for their produce. This will be possible only if the farmers are able to sell their goods directly at the cities. I want to ask, should farmers not get the money for their hard work? People should get their security needs at a fair and affordable price. And this is the concept behind allowing FDI in retail. The important thing is that every state has the liberty not to implement FDI in their state” she said.
While concluding her address the Congress leader requested the voters to ensure every single vote for the Congress and urged them to become a part in the process of development and welfare of Himachal Pradesh.

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Sonia Gandhi recalls Rajiv Gandhi, says Aaadhar is an extension of his modern vision

Jaipur: In a bid to plug loopholes in the implementation ofwelfare schemes, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched the nationwide Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery from Dudu in Rajasthan, marking the second anniversary of the Unique IdentificationAuthority of India (UIDAI). This service will help integrate variousgovernment-run flagship programmes with the Aadhaar card system,
While addressing the function, Congress President and UPAChairperson Sonia Gandhi said the Aadhaar scheme gives identity to the commonman and is a tool to claim benefits. She also said that using the Aadhaar cardthe common man can claim his rights anywhere in the country. “The Aadhaar cardwill help the government in ensuring that subsidy reaches its intendedbeneficiaries directly and the poor will not have to run from pillar to post toclaim their rights,” added Sonia Gandhi.
Sonia Gandhi said that this flagship project not only helpsthe common man with a proof of identity but also ensures his rights. “Aadhaaris not just a simple identification card. People can use this card to availother benefits also. It will help the marginalized sections of our society to earntheir rights. Further it would help to plug leakages and ensure that thebeneficiary directly gets the benefit” said the Congress President. “This cardhelps the aam aadmi to open bank accounts, avail mobile and LPG gasconnections”, she informed.
Explaining that the Aadhaar scheme is an extension of latePrime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s long term vision, Sonia Gandhi said, “RajivGandhi had a dream that the benefits of the modern technology should reach thecommon man. It was because of this long term vision only our country witnesseda revolution in technology especially in the telecom sector. The aam aadmi inour country have now been reaping benefits of the mobile phones, because of thepolicies of Rajiv Gandhi and taking inspiration from him only we have theAadhaar policy today”.
The Unique ID project is about to begin a new phase – thatof facilitating transactions. Aadhaar-enabled applications will be used forensuring direct payments like pension payments, wages under the Mahatma GandhiNational Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Public Distribution System,Mukhyamantri BPL Gramin Awas Yojna, Pension scheme under social security, AshaSehyogini payment and Chief Minister’s Scholarship scheme, to the correctbeneficiary.
Apart from Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr ManmohanSingh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot,UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman MontekSingh Ahluwalia Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot, Sanjay Nilekaniwere also present..

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