The Hindu : National : BJP vitiating social atmosphere in M.P.: Sonia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 21, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

BJP vitiating social atmosphere in M.P.: Sonia

Ujjain (MP): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched the party’s poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh with a scathing attack on the BJP government in the State , saying it has failed miserably.

“The Congress always struggled for development while they have been playing politics in the name of religion. Politics is a medium of development and not destruction,” she said while addressing a mammoth kisan rally in the temple town of Malwa.

Assailing the saffron party for vitiating social atmosphere in the State, Ms. Gandhi said atrocities on weaker sections have increased while social amity has deteriorated.

The UPA chairperson said there is too much corruption in the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes. She also took a dig at BJP slogans during the last Assembly elections promising power, roads and employment for the people.

“I feel pained to know all these things. I am concerned about crores of people who do not get employment throughout the year. The UPA government has introduced a rural employment guarantee scheme under which work for at least 100 days in a year is assured,” she said. Exhorting people to support the Congress, Mr. Gandhi said the UPA government at the Centre introduced the Right to Information Act so that people can seek information from any public office on any issue across the country.

“We have also waived off Rs 71,000 crore of loans for the benefit four crore farmers in the country. It is our responsibility to realise the pain and agony of farmers,” said Ms. Gandhi.

Ms. Gandhi said the Congress is committed to empower women, adding the Women’s Reservation Bill has already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

On the issue of hike in the prices of petroleum products and soaring inflation, she said the Centre was compelled to raise the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG due to increase in international crude prices.

The BJP-led NDA too had raised prices of petroleum products several times during its rule at the Centre, she said. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National