Congress has cared for all: Sonia Gandhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while addressing a rally in Nasik said that Congress-NCP alliance has always pursued the cause of common man and tried to fulfill their expectations. She started her speech by thanking the people for their support in the recent Loksabha election. She said, “I have come here to seek your support on the basis of the works done by Congress-NCP government We have put the common man’s cause ahead while running the coalition government over the years. We have tried our best to fulfill your expectations.”

Congress President said, “Ours is the largest democracy in the world and people are politically aware. They know well about their decisions.You have witnessed the rule of many parties but I think real power lies with the people in a democracy.” She further said, “In elections, political parties make many promises to come into power but we believe in work and our party seeks your support on the basis of schemes and programmes.”

Congress President said that the UPA government at centre and the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra have done a lot for the welfare of people. “There have been a lot of developmental works in the field of education, health and infrastructure; this is a matter of pride,” she said.

Talking about the contribution of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, she said that the leaders of Congress Party had always great concern for the people of backward classes, women and poor. They initiated many schemes which brought about changes in the lives of the poor. “It is for that concern that they introduced women reservation in Panchayats which has ensured around 12 lakh women getting elected in Panchayats. Rajivji wanted to build an India where our sisters could get adequate participation in power” she said. She further said that none of the non-Congress government has cared for the poor as much as Congress did. “This is the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Sahooji Maharaj and Jyotiba Phule; this was the feeling of Dr. Ambedakar,” she said.

Congress President said that the UPA government launched historical Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the rural poor. “It has been given a legal status to provide 100-days employment to the rural poor and people are now getting employment in their village,” she said. She further said that the government also waived off the loans of farmers worth seventy one thousand crores benefiting millions of farmers. “We know the plight of our farmers who grow food grain for us and our government has also raised the Minimum Support Price for crops,” she said. Congress President said that the government of Maharashtra has given a huge package for grapes and onion producing farmers of the state.

Talking about the development of Maharashtra and Nasik, Congress President said, “A package worth Rs 22,500 crores has been okayed to better the irrigation facilities in Maharashtra. Not only that, Mumbai-Nasik expressway and many highway projects are also being executed which will help our youths to get employment.” She further said that there is no dearth of work for sincere people who want to work for the betterment of society.
Congress President said that her alliance is concerned for the people who need special attention in the development process. “For such people, we have decided to provide 25 Kilogram of food grains per month at 3 rupees a kilo,” she said.

Speaking on the accommodative development of the society she said that the government is paying attention for the development of minorities. “ Sachar Committee report is being implemented on fast scale and there are many initiatives being taken for them; there is a proposal of ITI for the students of minority community in Nasik as well,” she said.
She criticized opposition parties for not having any scheme or programme for the welfare of the people. “They don’t have any specific programme for you, they only want to play with your emotions; I want to caution you from such people,” she said.
Congress President said that Congress is the only party which cares for all the sections of society. “We contest election to be with you in the hour of your need; our leaders have taught us this duty,” she said.

She concluded her speech by appealing to all present to vote for Congress-NCP-RPI(Gavai) alliance and use their rights consciously.