Sonia commends allies wholehearted support to govt

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his leadership and the consituent parties for their support in seeking to fulfill the common minimum programme to build a democratic, secular and equitable society.

''We have wholehearted support of all parties. However, many differences persist on issues which are inevitable and desirable...

but deep down there is a commitment to work for democratic, just, equitable and secular society,'' Mrs Gandhi said at a function at the Prime Minister's residence on the completion of the government's two years in office.

She also released the report card of the UPA government's achievement.

Among those present on the dias were Union Ministers Arjun Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, Shivraj Patil, Lalu Prasad, Sharad Pawar and Dayanidhi Maran, besides Mr Manmohan Singh.

Mrs Gandhi listed nuclear deal, tribal welfare, foreign policy and social programmes as the main areas of the government's achievements.

She said communal violence had decreased during the past two years and the government had put in place programmes for the welfare of OBCs, SCs/STs and other weaker sections.

She said it was the government's collective responsibilty that National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, launched three months ago, succeeded.

Ms Gandhi said other significant programmes launched by the government were Bharat Nirmal, Mid-day scheme, Sarvya Siksha Abhiyan, National Urban Renewal Mission and integrated development schemes.

She counted Right to Information Act as a historic step and said further steps had to be taken on the rural credit front and for handloom weavers and the unorganised sector.

''We have to move ahead to provide social justice with economic growth and prosperity,'' she added.

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