Sonia Gandhi in Karnataka slams BJP’s misrule; calls for change in the state

Chikmagalure: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, while addressing a mammoth election rally at Chikmagalure in Karnataka as part of her campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in the state on Saturday, launched a blistering attack on the ruling BJP government for cheating the people and ignoring the development in the state.

Sonia Gandhi started her address by striking an emotional chord with the people of Chikmagalure recalling how they had extended their support to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1978. “We cannot forget and we will not forget that the people of Chikmagalur, 35 years ago, lent a helping hand to my mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, when she needed it the most.  And I am here today to offer to you the helping hand of the Congress party now, because it is now you need it most” said Sonia Gandhi and the audience greeted it with huge applauds.

Slamming the BJP, the Congress President stressed that the present government in Karnataka betrayed the people's mandate and claimed that the people are looking for a change. “People want change and this feeling was seen in the recent local elections.. The need for change is now and you know better, why we need a change? You live here and you are suffering because of the bad governance of the BJP” said Sonia Gandhi in her first campaign rally in Karnataka, which goes to assembly polls on May 5.

"The BJP has completely betrayed the mandate of the people of Karnataka", she argued and continued “Immoral behaviour of the persons in the positions of power has crossed all limits. The law and order has collapsed. The mining mafia has destroyed the environment and has ransacked huge mineral resources, which are your property. Secular values of Karnataka society, in this region in particular, have been gravely damaged by fanatical elements only for their narrow and selfish political ends”.

Sonia Gandhi added that there was a time when industries competed with one another to invest in Karnataka but the situation now is opposite. She alleged that the industries are leaving Karnataka because of corruption, government interference and poor infrastructure. Noting that Karnataka has had a glorious past and brighter future awaiting, she said this is possible only if there is political stability. 

Taking a dig at BJP for frequently changing the Chief Ministers in the recent past, she said “For a brighter future for Karnataka, one should realise that stability is essential. We cannot afford governments, which keep on changing Chief Ministers every now and then.. A stable Government is the need of the hour in Karnataka”. 

“We (Congress party) reject any communal ideology. We reject any ideology or institution that spreads hatred and disunity” underlined the UPA Chairperson.

“Come out in large numbers on 5^th of May. Vote for Congress; caste your votes for stability; caste your votes for a future of pride of all the people of Karnataka and Chikmagalur” said Sonia Gandhi while concluding her address.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda talks about UPA's welfare policies for minorities

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. "The UPA Government at the Centre has given priority for the welfare, empowerment and upliftment of backward classes and minorities. We, for the first time ever, opened a new ministry for minority affairs. We have been implementing the recommendations of the Sachchar Committee. We also have identified 90 minority-dominated regions across the country, including Malda, and sanctioned a new package for development. We have upgraded the Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities and he has been personally supervising its progress" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda assures law to prevent crimes against women

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. "We will soon bring in legislation to prevent atrocities and crimes against women. We are trying to pass the Food security bill so that poor people of this country don't have to starve" said Sonia Gandhi."Education is also an important sector in the growth of the nation. Our UPA government under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh has given special attention to technical education and education. We have taken steps to update and upgrade technology in IITs, Medical colleges, universities and also have set up new technical institutes" she added.

Sonia Gandhi in Malda (West Bengal) talks about UPA's first ever all-women-bank proposal

Congress President and UPA Chairperson visited Malda in West Bengal to attend the function for laying foundation stone of a Technical institute named after late Congress leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. "For the first time in the history of our country, Rs. 1000 cr has been allocated in the current Budget for an all-women bank, to help women in their business ventures. We are also constituting a Nirbhaya fund with Rs 1000 crore. This fund will be used to protect the honour and dignity of our sisters and daughters.

Sonia Gandhi at Bhagat Phool Singh University convocation function

International Women's day, inaugurated a Women Medical College in Haryana. She dedicated the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women to the nation on Friday at Khanpur Kalan in Haryana's Sonipat district. She also attended the first convocation ceremony at the University.

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP Govt in Gujarat for its anti-people policies

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi takes on BJP and says that the BJP government in Gujarat ignored the welfare of the people and development of the state.

Sonia Gandhi talks about the UPA's policy for farmers' welfare

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi explains about the various welfare measures taken by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She explained about the loan-waiving off policy for the poor farmers which helped them in a great extent.

Sonia Gandhi’s intervention: Uttarakhand govt to stop Corbett land grab

Frequent interventions by Congress president Sonia Gandhi have made the Uttarakhand government crack the whip on 'encroachers' in Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The state government has banned any kind of land transaction within a radius of 2 km from the reserve boundary. Sonia was apprised of this decision through a letter dated January 4, 2013 by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. reports about land encroachment along the periphery of the national park, especially around the Ramganga river, prompted Sonia, who is also the chairman of the National Board for Wildlife, to take up the matter with the Prime Minister.

In a letter dated May 11, 2012, Sonia Gandhi demanded that allegations made in new reports be probed. "The peripheral forestland are being encroached upon and tourism-related infrastructure is posing a threat to the wildlife in the reserve. I request you to have the matter urgently examined so that appropriate measures may be undertaken to preserve the ecological integrity of the reserve," the letter stated.

The Environment and Forest Ministry quickly constituted a two-member committee to probe the matter. On June 5, the committee submitted a report seeking a probe against activities of four people - former BJP president Nitin Gadkari, former MP Akbar Ahmed Dumpy, former forest minister Nav Prabhat and Leisure Hotels managing director Mukund Prasad. The panel recommended immediate halt on all revenue land transactions in buffer areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve till a high-level probe is completed by the state government. The report stated: "A departmental inquiry should be conducted in the alleged collusion of officials to facilitate private hoteliers and lodge owners and MoU by the state with private angling associations in the buffer area must be terminated."

Sonia Gandhi sent the findings to Bahuguna on June 12. She wrote: "You are requested to look into the matter personally as the issue is of serious nature." Bahuguna ordered a vigilance inquiry and immediately reverted to Sonia through a letter dated July 14, apprising her of the interim measures he had taken.

Sonia Gandhi: We are committed to India's unity, will fight those who divide us

“We should understand that people are disillusioned by the political process, we should be sensitive to that and bring changes to that effect, said Sonia Gandhi in her address on the last day of the three-day Chintan Shivir of the Congress in Jaipur on Sunday.

 The Congress President added, “Corruption is a deep-seated malaise. We are resolved to fight against it. That is why we have passed the Lokpal Bill in the last Lok Sabha session. We have introduced the ‘aapka paisa, aapke haath’ direct cash transfer scheme to weed out middle-men from the system,” she announced. Sonia Gandhi said, "India is a country rooted in a strong federal structure that works for its people and has principled relationship with neighbours."

The party president highlighted the achievements of the UPA government such as the direct cash transfer scheme. and against corruption. The government has initiated a five-point programme, including drafting laws to combat corruption, she said. Agriculture and farmer is central to our programmes.

We are committed to India's unity, will fight those who divide us, she said.

 "We are forming a committee to process all suggestions that have come here and work on programmes we can implement," informed Sonia Gandhi.  Talking about the Delhi gang rape case, Sonia Gandhi said, "Will ensure that the death of the Delhi Gang rape victim does not go in vain." Saying that the meeting came against the backdrop about the safety of women, she referred to the brutal gang-rape that shook the nation."She is a symbol of women and children who suffer from similar fate," she said. Sonia Gandhi said "we will ensure that her death will not go in vain". Saying that certain politicians had made outrageous comments following the incident, she said: "We can not tolerate mindsets that lead to crimes against women." "Every woman, every girl in our country has the fundamental right to be secure and safe," said Sonia Gandhi. "I will personally continue to press for the Women's Reservation Bill which will allow 1/3rd reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures," she said.

The Jaipur declaration called on all secular and progressive forces to unite in ideological battle against those who polarise and divide society.

At 'Chintan Shivir', Sonia Gandhi warns young Congressmen on lavish lifestyle

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has set the tone of discussion for Congress’ Chintan Shivir that began in Jaipur on Friday. As the party readies for the 2014 elections, Sonia Gandhi urged the Congress workers to take stock of party’s strengths, weaknesses and threats and warned that the middle-class, with which the party hopes to reconnect, is fed up with corruption that they face in their daily lives.

"This is a phenomenon, a churning that we must understand and continue to respond to. We cannot allow our growing educated and middle classes to be disillusioned and alienated from the political process," said Sonia Gandhi. She also pointed out that people were now better informed and equipped than ever before and that their expectation from their government had also grown. She reminded the younger Congressmen and women, a big chunk of the 350 people invited, to be austere. An extravagant show of money, she said, would lead to the question - where does the wealth come from?

In her address, Sonia Gandhi talked about the Congress' nine years of rule at the Centre and what it had gained and lost in that time. She touched upon coalition politics, Indo-Pak relations, gender issues and crime against women and corruption, and exhorted those gathered to "speak your mind - as we are here on business that will determine our future".

 That is an immediate future, with General Elections due next year. "There is increased competition and inroads have been made in our traditional strongholds. We have to strike a fine balance between respecting alliances and ensuring rejuvenation of the party," Mrs Gandhi said, adding: "We are the only pan Indian party with a visible and viable position in every village. We articulate the concerns of all, especially the weaker sections of the society. Inclusiveness is anchored in our conviction, not the outcome of compulsion as it may be for our opponents."

The Congress hopes to emerge from the two-day-long session armed with strategy on, among other things, how to address an alienation from the middle class, seen most recently when the government it leads was found grossly inadequate in its response to spontaneous protests after the brutal gang-rape and torture of a 23-year-old medical student in a moving bus in Delhi last month.

Sonia Gandhi said, "Discrimination against the girl child and atrocities against women are a blot on our collective conscience. Sexual harassment, women trafficking and female foeticide should shake us and awaken us...Gender issues are fundamental and the entire party must bring this to the heart of political activity and change mindsets."

At a meeting on women's issues that she attended with son Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi said gender sensitivity should begin at home.

Sonia Gandhi wants jobs for youth, welfare of tribals

For Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, development means welfare of the poor. If the poor and underprivileged sections of the society are not getting the benefits and they are not able to be a part of the path of progress, we can not claim development, she always believed.

In her recent campaign for the Congress in Gujarat, Sonia Gandhi had slammed the BJP government for its false claims of development. She said that the tribals in the state are in distress and pain.  “The welfare and development of A diva sis are our prime concern but the present BJP government has not been serious in this matter. They have almost killed the Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana”. “You must be remembering that the UPA Government at the Center had waived off loan worth crores  of the poor farmers but still the condition of the farmers in Gujarat remains pathetic because of the anti-people policies of the BJP government in the state”, she added. 

Sonia Gandhi further said “Lots of youth are jobless in the state. The health and education facilities are insufficient here.  My sisters in this state have been facing atrocities because of the worsening law and order situation in the state. Why all these happening here? If the government had given attention to your problems, you would not have faced so many problems”.  The Congress President urged the people to support Congress and to bring back the state of Gujarat to the path of development.

Sonia Gandhi: There is a need to strike a balance between allies and government policies

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday while delivering her opening address at party’s Chintan Shivir at Jaipur called for unity among the Congress workers.

Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, also noted that there was a need to strike a balance between allies and government policies. Sonia Gandhi highlighted the fact that the last nine years of UPA rule was a period of tremendous economic growth, social change and technological innovation. As regards the recent tensions between India and Pakistan following the killing of two Indian soldiers on the LoC, Sonia Gandhi said that dialogue with neighbours must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour. "Better and closer relations with our immediate neighbours will not only make for regional peace -- they will also have a positive impact on some of our own border states," she said. "However, let us be clear. Our dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilised behaviour. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders."

The Congress president noted that women’s security was on top of the party’s agenda, and added the issue must be discussed at length. "Atrocities on women, both in urban and rural India are a blot on our collective conscience and a matter of shame," Sonia Gandhi said.

The party is also concerned about the poor and backward classes, Sonia said, and added that inclusive growth is not a party ploy but a conviction. She also had a word of advice for partymen - to be austere.

“Lavish weddings will lead to questions on where money came from,” she said, adding brazen display of wealth corrupts people.

Among the leaders present on the dais included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and Ambika Soni.

BJP Government in Uttarakhand betrays the people: Sonia Gandhi

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi kick started the campaign for the Congress in poll bound Uttarakhand. She said that the present state Government has been betraying the people in the name of development. Sonia Gandhi also said that the natural treasures of Uttarakhand are being looted and the only way to prevent it is changing the present government. Taking a swap ay BJP she pointed out that by merely changing the Chief Minister won’t help as what we require is a change in the Government.

Sonia Gandhi said “For the past few years the ruling party (BJP) has been betraying the people of Uttarakhand. It tried to cover its dishonest face with mask of lies. But when the mask got unveiled they changed the Chief Minister. The truth is that though they changed the Chief Minister, nothing changed in Uttarakhand. The rampant loot and the cheating are still prevailing”.

“Only 10% of the people got the benefits of the Congress-led UPA Governments Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy. Only 40% of the funds were utilized by the BJP Government. Unemployment has been increased. If we want to help the people of Uttarakhand, if you want to get your beautiful Uttarakhand back, if you want to protect your own rights, then only a CM-change won’t do, but the government needs to be changed. For that you will have to defeat the BJP in the coming elections and elect a Congress Government. I am confident about your support and I am sure that you will vote and elect a Congress Government” added Sonia Gandhi.

This article is posted by pressbrief.in

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 12

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As chairperson of the National Advisory Committee and the UPA chairperson she played an important role in making the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Right to Information into law. She also actively involved in framing policies like mid-day meal scheme for the school children, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Anti Communalism Bill and Food security Bill. Sonia Gandhi is also keen to get the Women Reservation Bill implemented.
Pandit Nehru dreamt about a progressive nation. Indira Gandhi took his dream forward, Rajiv Gandhi put the country among the top nations in the world and today Sonia Gandhi leading India into becoming a strong and self reliant country.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 11

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Sonia Gandhi campaigned for the Congress in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. Congress managed to get a tally of 141 seats, largely due to her charismatic presence during the campaign. Travelling the length and breadth of the country in a whirlwind election tour Sonia caught the imagination of the masses by her emotional speeches. She was able to achieve an unexpected election success. The election results provided her with a unique opportunity to become India's Prime Minister. She sacrificed the post in favour of Dr Manmohan Singh.
Under her leadership India returned the Congress-led-UPA to a near majority in the 2009 general elections with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister for the second term. The Congress itself won 206 Lok Sabha seats, which was the highest total by any party since 1991. She was instrumental in framing a Common Minimum Program when UPA was formed the government. She knew well how to run a coalition government better.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 10

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Thirty one years ago I came to India as a bride of Rajiv Gandhi. And now I will spend my life till my last in this country and nobody can take away this right from me', the statement shows her real love for India.
Sonia Gandhi suffered two heavy blows in her life. The first was the assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then the sad and brutal assassination of her husband and the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by the Tamil militants. Though she had accompanied Rajiv Gandhi in all his campaigns, she never took interest in the politics. Since Rajiv Gandhi's death, Sonia Gandhi led a life of near recluse for six years but for her appearances at a few official functions. But a number of Congress leaders and supporters looking for a charismatic personality to lead the party to electoral success kept sending their appeals to her to come and take over the party.
The Congress faced a big electoral setback after the Narasimha Rao regime and many people had started to write-off the Congress. The pressure to revive Congress party started increasing. She finally acceded to join politics in 1997. In 1998 she was elected as the leader of the Congress Party. She proved herself as an efficient Parliamentarian and she took on NDA.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 9

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It was not a standalone case of compassion. Her life is replete of many such acts of kindness. She was deeply pained when the drastic Tsunami hit Indian coastal areas. Her concern for the aggrieved was also seen during the flood in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh or during the terrorist attack in Delhi or when a number of farmers were hurt in a police firing in Rajasthan.
While turning down the post of the Prime Minister she famously said -- I always listen to the voice of my inner conscience. I have said on many occasions that my target is not the Prime Ministership. Today my inner conscience tells me to politely refuse the post.
The Gandhi-Nehru family is known for the sacrifice they have made for the nation. They always found it supreme to serve the people and the country. The present Congress President Sonia Gandhi has proved on numerous occasions that she also finds it important to serve the nation than anything else. "Sacrifice for the nation is not the tradition of politics but it is the culture of our nation, the culture to serve the human kind," said Sonia Gandhi once.