Kota(Raj): UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday attacked BJP saying it is a party of "poisonous people" which spreads nothing but rumours. "BJP is spreading rumours that the drugs of Rajasthan flagship 'Free Medicine Scheme' are poison, but the fact is that the party that is spreading such rumours is the party of poisonous people," Sonia said at a rally here.
Rajasthan will go to the polls on December 1. She alleged that BJP is projecting "lies as realities" and it has nothing substantial with it but "the very greed for power". "BJP fails to see the progress but sees only the darkness," she alleged in her 12-minute address to a gathering of about 12,000 people at Ummad stadium here.
"The Congress government in Rajasthan has worked for public welfare through several schemes in its current tenure but the party in opposition, BJP, continues to criticise for the same," said Sonia, who was clad in a blue sari.
"BJP continues to criticise but the Congress government will continue to work for the progress of the people," she said. Sonia said UPA's flagship schemes were revolutionary in nature and questioned,"why BJP did not introduce and implement such public welfare schemes during its regime?" Appreciating Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government for successfully implementing several flagship schemes, Sonia said Congress believes in strengthening the common man.
Stressing on various schemes of the Centre, as well as of the state government, Sonia said, "No one can go to bed without food as we have given Food Security Act, and to check the corruption, our government has brought Right to Information Act."
Social Security Bill, Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA are the other achievements of the Congress government towards the public welfare, Sonia said. "Congress is also farmer friendly, as it has increased the government's purchase of the crops," the Congress leader claimed.
The UPA chairperson also promised that if the Congress comes to power, "the party will implement its manifesto word to word." The rally was also addressed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader C P Joshi. Party's state in-charge Gurudas Kamath and Union Minister Ambika Soni also accompanied the UPA chairperson.
Addressing another rally in Dungarpur, Sonia said rapid development and growth of Rajasthan is not visible to the opposition. "Congress will continue with the development irrespective of what the opposition says," she said.
Sonia, who was in the tribal dominated region to address a public gathering, accused BJP leaders of being confined to power and their personal gains only. "The pace at which Rajasthan progressed in these years is in front of all but it is not visible to the opposition. They just look at power and their own gain... but we do not care that they see our work or not we will continue to work with dedication," Sonia said at the rally.
She said that Congress does not create a hype of its works.
"It is the habit of BJP and their leaders. Let them do backbiting, but we will continue our progressive works with commitment," she said.
The UPA chairperson highlighted initiatives and works of the government of Rajasthan for the uplift of the tribal region and sought their support to retain the power in the state. She said that due to the efforts of the Rajasthan government, the state has become pioneer in providing social security.
"Development of tribals is always high on the priority of Congress at Centre and party ruled states," she said. She drew attention of the people towards benefits of oil refinery in Barmer and coach factory in Bhilwara.
Prior to Sonia's address, Gehlot cautioned tribals of BJP saying, "They will come to mislead you and present you wrong facts. Beware of them."
Gehlot, in his address, mentioned about the renowned people from Mewar region like Govind Guru, Bhogilal Pandya, Kali Bai, and said such people have brought laurel to the region. The rally was attended by a large number of people from the tribal community.
Next: Sonia, Rahul to seek feedback from people for Cong manifesto
Sonia, Rahul to seek feedback from people for Cong manifesto
New Delhi: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are expected to be in Rae Bareli on this Wednesday for a meeting with people to seek their direct feedback for the party's manifesto for the next Lok Sabha polls.
A meeting of the manifesto committee of the party is scheduled there to seek petitions from people on the suggestions to be incorporated in the document to make it an inclusive affair.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has been telling partymen for quite some time that there is a need to involve people from grassroot in policy-making and inputs should also be taken from block Congress committees when the party finalises the manifesto. This was one of the highlights of his speech during Congress' 'Chintan Shivir' held in Jaipur in January this year when he was anointed the party's Vice-President.
Gandhi has also advocated for evolving a system that the suggestions are collated subject-wise and then considered for inclusion in the manifesto. In a rally in Alwar, Rajasthan, on October 23, Gandhi had launched the party website http://www.incmanifesto.in, which opens with a declaration by Congress.
The website says, "We invite every citizen of India to give us their ideas and suggestions for the 2014 Lok Sabha Election Manifesto of the Congress Party. The Congress is the first party to open up its national manifesto-building process to the general public.
"In addition to this website, the Congress Party is holding direct public consultations across the country to empower the voice of those who do not have access to the Internet. All ideas and suggestions you provide will be presented to the national leadership of the Congress and will be duly considered for inclusion in the manifesto. Your voice will build the Congress manifesto."
In the second meeting of Congress' manifesto committee, headed by Union Minister A.K. Antony last month, Gandhi had told the leaders that suggestions from the people should be incorporated and there is a need to look at the issues seriously.
Antony, P. Chidambaram, Sushilkumar Shinde, Anand Sharma, Salman Khurshid, Sandeep Dikshit, Ajit Jogi, Renuka Chowdhary, P.L. Punia, Mohan Gopal, Jairam Ramesh and Digvijaya Singh are members of the manifesto committee. The panel had first met on August 9, which was "merely an exchange of views on issues".
