The Hindu : Front Page : Sonia's call to reject politics of obstruction

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 05, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Sonia's call to reject politics of obstruction

Staff Reporter

KPCC organises mammoth rally in Kochi

KICK-STARTING CAMPAIGN: Congress president Sonia Gandhi acknowledging the greetings of party workers at a public rally in Kochi on Saturday. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is beside her. — Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called to reject the politics of obstruction, violence and false propaganda.

Addressing a mammoth public rally organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here on Saturday, kick-starting the election campaign of the party in the State, Ms. Gandhi said the political opponents of the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in the State were "obstructing the Government at all stages." The Government, she said, was working hard to fulfil all its promises.

She said that some of the parties with which the Congress was working at the Centre were its opponents in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura.

She said many parties were attempting to claim the credit for the initiatives of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre. However, the initiatives of the UPA Government were there in the Congress manifesto released in 2004, she said.

"We reject our political opponents' politics of restriction, violence, gherao and false propaganda," she said, taking a dig at the CPI(M).

"I ask you to vote for the Congress and the UDF as it is a vote for continuing the economic growth, social harmony and peace in Kerala. A vote for the UDF is for the development and future of the beautiful State of Kerala and every citizen of the State," she said.

Ms. Gandhi said Kerala had become one of the investment destinations. Without investment, there was no economic growth and generation of employment opportunities for the youth. The Government had taken up major development projects such as ports, roads, bridges and national highways. She said the UPA Government had set up a new Ministry for the welfare for Non-Resident Indians at the Centre and a National Commission for the Education of Minority Communities. The last 20 months of the UPA Government saw the passing of the National Rural Employment Act, a new legislation for preventing domestic violence against women and also a law for dealing with communal violence, she said.

`Recognise Sonia'

KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said the Congress would not recognise anyone who did not accept the leadership of Sonia Gandhi. Mr. Chennithala said that no one should think of coming to the Congress without recognising Ms. Gandhi as the leader.

Union Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Chief Minster Oommen Chandy, Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony, AICC secretary in charge of Kerala affairs Veerappa Moily and UDF convener P.P. Thankachan were present.

Ms. Gandhi released the book `Priyankariyaya Sonia' penned by K.V. Thomas, MLA, on the occasion.

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