Sonia hits out at non-Congress States

Bangalore, Sep 3 (UNI) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today faulted the non-Congress Governments in various States with not cooperating with the Centre in implementing the Centrally-sponsored schemes, intended to eradicate poverty.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting, organised by the party to mark the merger of the All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD)with the party here, she called upon the party workers to remain vigilant against the misuse of Central funds by the States.

Ms Gandhi alleged that the recent employment guarantee programme, envisaged to provide employment to BPL families in over 200 districts across the country, remained a non-starter in non-Congress ruled States. However, it had taken off well in the States governed by the party.

Hitting out at the Kumaraswamy Government in Karnataka, she said the State was yet to submit its proposal for Bangalore and Mysore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, despite the Centre contemplating to bring the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad under its ambit. The JD(S)-BJP Government was adopting ''anti-people'' policies, she alleged, calling upon the partymen to salvage the State from divisive forces.

Exhorting the party workers to remain united, the Congress chief expressed happiness over the party's performance in all elections after the 2004 Assembly polls.

Lauding the astounding success of Bangalore on the global arena in IT and BT sectors, she said the Congress had contributed a lot for this success. ''It was because of the visionary leadership of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi that Bangalore has captured a unique place in the landscape of IT and BT in the world.'' UNI MV GD-VK VD RS1706