Sonia calls to reject politics of obstruction and violence

Kochi , Mar 4 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today kicked off the party's Assembly election campaign with a call to ''reject the politics of obstruction, violence and false propaganda'' of political opponents, without naming main rivals the Left forces, in the state.

Addressing a rally organised in connection with the first ever full meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee in the past two decades, she stressed that the Congress considered the Left parties, which were supporting them at the Centre, as their main opponents in states like Kerala and West Bengal.

''We reject the politics of obstruction, violence and false propaganda,'' she said and called upon the people to vote the Congress back to power in the Assembly elections in April/May for a continuous developmental and economic growth in the state. ''A vote for the United Democratic Front is a vote for prosperity of the state.'' Attacking the CPI(M) indirectly, Ms Gandhi said despite political opponents trying to oppress the government's developmental programmes, the United Democratic Front could fulfill its promises to the people.

Pointing out that Kerala had become an attractive investment destination, she said the state had attracted huge investments for its infrastructural development like Ports, National Highways and industries.

Referring to the achievements of the UPA government, Ms Gandhi said that the initiatives included in the Common Minimum Programme were based on the Congress' manifesto. However, certain political parties were trying to claim the credit for the achievements in the past 20 months of the government.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Union Minister Vyalar Ravi, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, former Chief Minister A K Antony and AICC general secretary and incharge of Kerala Veerappa Moily also addressed the gathering.

UNI Team CR/PN YA RK2120