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 assures: Death of Delhi gang rape victim will not go in vain

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday while addressing the Congress’ Chintan Shivir in Jaipur said that the Delhi gang-rape victim embodied the spirit of an aspirational India and the government would ensure her sacrifice did not go in vain.

"The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in the nation's capital has shaken the entire country. People are rightly demanding answers and action. This brave young woman in many ways embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure that her death had not been in vain," Sonia Gandhi said on the final day of the party's 'Chintan Shivir'.

Sonia Gandhi added she would continue to press for passage of the bill for one-third reservation to women in assemblies and parliament. "I assure you I will personally continue to press for the passage of the law that would provide for one-third reservation for women in parliament and in state legislature," she said.

The Congress President said that the rape victim was tragically a symbol of thousands of women and children throughout the country who face a similar fate, whose lives are ruined or worse, and who are denied justice. "Every woman and every girl in our country has a fundamental constitutional right to feel safe and secure, to enjoy full equality in every respect," said Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress president also said the government was taking a series of steps to ensure higher gender equality, and counted legislative reservations as a major step. "Their (women's) growing involvement in panchayats and local administration is giving them a new voice and confidence. Making people aware of such legislation's and demanding its enforcement must become a priority in our political activities," she said.

Sonia Gandhi also slammed the series of anti-woman statements that have come out recently, saying it reflected a shameful mindset. "We cannot tolerate the shameful social mindset that leads to unspeakable atrocities on women and children. "In the last few weeks, some public figures have come out with truly shocking statements reflecting on these completely unacceptable attitudes. The Congress party has always been on the forefront, in the struggle for full empowerment of women and we will continue this campaign," she said. Sonia Gandhi said several new laws have been enacted and amendments made to ensure equal rights of inheritance, protect women from domestic violence and prevent sexual harassment at workplace.

Sonia Gandhi also mentioned a World Bank-aided project, Aajeevika, for expansion of women self-help groups and said enhanced focus on sanitation would have a positive impact on the dignity of women.

Sonia Gandhi at Chintan Shivir calls for unity among Congress workers

In the Congress’ ‘Chinthan Shivir’ held in Jaipur, the Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sincerely attempted to introspect on many affairs. Sonia Gandhi tried to explore the inherent weaknesses and the core strength to caution and at the same time encourage the party cadres.

Sonia Gandhi warned the workers that they should take note of the fact that the party has floundered many opportunities. She said it was due to inability of the Congress party to function as disciplined and united team.

She admitted the need to balance the allies and Congress party. She felt that the traditional strongholds (in Congress votes) have been taken over by others. She has proposed a solution to get back what has been lost at the same time stressing the importance of having allies and asked the delegates to..

Touching upon gender issue like atrocities on women, discrimination against girl child, sexual harassment, women trafficking and female foeticide, Sonia Gandhi said women’s security is on top of the party’s agenda.

Sonia Gandhi also issued a warning to Congress workers that the middle class is fed up with corruption they face. She realized that middle class is growing and educated. Therefore they are better equipped to expect from the Government.

Sonia Gandhi added that for the Congress party, inclusiveness was not a political ploy to win elections. She claimed that the Congress is the only party combining economy with social harmony and justice. Sonia Gandhi stressed, “Development through economic growth and social justice are two sides of one coin”.

Sonia Gandhi has delivered a well prepared speech with five commandments which shows clarity of thoughts. It is really good to see that she has desisted from attacking the rival of the Congress party, BJP. Instead she has addressed the issues confronting her party and the Nation, a good sign for positive approach.

Sonia Gandhi has real passion towards India

This year also the birthday of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi went on calmly. She always has been reluctant to celebrate her birthday. At a time when political leaders waste lots of money for their birth day bash and for other similar occasions, here comes a different leader who always considers it improper to engage in unnecessary extravaganza.

For Sonia Gandhi politics is a way to serve the people. She was always concerned about the poor and underprivileged and the children. The Gandhi-Nehru family is known to the sacrifice for the nation. They always found it supreme to serve the people and the country. Sonia Gandhi proved 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. “31 years back 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”. This shows her real passion towards India.

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 Act into law.  She also actively involved in framing policies like Mid-day meal scheme for the school children, Right to Education, Anti Communal-ism Bill and Food security Bill. Sonia Gandhi is also keen to get the Women Reservation Bill implemented. Women empowerment has always been Sonia Gandhi’s main focus.

Now Gujarat election campaigning is going on. Sonia Gandhi led from the front and attended several rallies in the state. At a time, most of the opposite leaders engages in launching personal attacks, Sonia Gandhi never indulged in such narrow practices. She always focused on development, welfare of aam aadmi and progress of the nation. For Sonia Gandhi, the common man, the poor, tribals and underprivileged are the prime concern. As UPA Chairperson, she always took initiatives to press the Congress-led central government to frame pro-people policies and the country witnessed many welfare schemes under the present congress-led government.

On many occasions Sonia Gandhi recalled late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her husband and late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi highlighting their efforts for the development of the country and welfare of the people. She followed their footsteps and focused on common people’s problems and pains. And whenever she found that her intervention is required Sonia Gandhi never hesitated to do so. When today’s leaders move away from the people Sonia Gandhi and her son – Congress General Secrertary Rahul Gandhi - always tried to strike chord with the aam aadmi.

Sonia Gandhi at Chintan Shivir: Congress is the only Pan-Indian party

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while delivering her opening address at Congress’ chintan shivir at Jaipur sent out a strong message to party leaders asking them to understand the new emerging India, which is younger and less tolerant of the corruption it faces daily.

The ruling party hopes to emerge from the two-day-long session armed with strategy on, among other things, how to reconnect with an angry urban middle class.

Sonia Gandhi pointed out that the Congress party was the only pan Indian party which existed in every village and city of the country. “We are the only Pan Indian party and we appeal to all sections of society from Dalits to Adivasi’s” she said. She added that for the Congress inclusiveness was not a political ploy to win elections.

“We are the only party who believes that development and economic growth on the one hand and social harmony and social justice on the other are two sides of the same coin.”

Sonia Gandhi also stressed for maintaining the unity within the party especially where the party is not in power. She also urged the cadres to speak out freely and frankly as this session would decide the future of the Congress.

Sonia Gandhi follows footsteps of Rajiv Gandhi

“Who can forget the efforts of late Sh. Rajiv Gandhi to develop the Dahej region which is now considered to be one of the biggest industrial areas? More development works are in progress in this region as some roads are going to be converted as National highways soon” had said Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President and UPA Chairperson while addressing a mammoth Congress rally in Mandvi recently during her campaign for Congress in Gujarat.

During her campaign, the Congress President  took on the Modi-led BJP government in the state and said that the people are fed up with the present state government. “I know that  people are fed up with this government and Gujarat now needs new direction and that can be provided only by the Congress” said the Congress President and assured “we will work with sincerity, honesty, determination and commitment to fulfill the promises made in the Congress manifesto and will bring in radical development in Gujarat”

Striking an emotional chord with the people in the region Sonia Gandhi said “We have been maintaining a good relationship with the Southern Gujarat. I will never forget the support and affection you had extended to Indira Gandhi when she was passing through a bad phase in her political career in 1977. Our critics are trying to weaken our relationship but have failed. I salute your commitment and honesty and assure you that we will maintain this healthy relationship with you forever”. 

Listing the pathetic state of affairs of the Adivasis in the region, the Congress President continued “The people of Southern Gujarat are polite, honest and hardworking.  But still, why there is so much poverty in this adivasi dominated area? Why there are no improvements in the life and financial condition of adivasis in the state?  The BJP government in the state has been talking loud about the 15000 cr worth Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana.  But where has the money gone? Where are the facilities promised by the BJP government to the Adivasis in the state?”

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 12

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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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http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 8

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http://soniagandhiindia.com/
For Sonia Gandhi politics is not the means to attain power but a medium to serve the people. It became abundantly evident as she turned down the post of Prime Minister despite having led the UPA to victory in 2004 general elections. The movie on Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi covers all aspects of her life. Be it her political thought or career, marriage with Rajiv Gandhi, her emergence as an effective Congress leader, her love for India and her compassion for poor all of it is nicely strung together in the movie.
Welfare of the poor, underprivileged and the children has always been high on the Congress President's agenda. A case in point -- when a massive earthquake jolted Jammu and Kashmir she cancelled her other engagements in order to reach and console the victims without any delays. She was forthright in extending help and support to the affected people.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Biography Part 7

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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 6

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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 5

http://pressbrief.in/
http://soniagandhiindia.com/
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.
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.