Sonia seeks vote for stable, progressive govt in Goa

Panaji, May 26 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today pleaded to the people to elect her party with a thumping majority in the June 2 polls to the Goa Assembly, so that it can form a ''strong and stable government in Goa, the jewel of India's crown''.

''Goa is not a mere one of the States in the country. It is the jewel in the crown of India. Known for its high literacy rate, per capita income and other sound parameters with traditions of communal harmony, it needs a strong and stable government. Congress, with its progressive ideology and policies, alone is capable of providing it,'' she claimed.

Kicking off her first election campaign in the state at the sprawling gymkhana ground in the capital city here today, Ms Gandhi said the UPA government has the reputation of assisting all the States, irrespective of whether they were ruled by the Congress or the opposition as ''we want progress of all the regions''.

Stating that the Congress was the only party that had been keeping its promises, she said it would continue to help Goa in a big way for various developmental projects and schemes like mid-day meal for children, provision of drinking water, construction of houses and development of backward classes and minorities.

Eulogising the 3-year-rule of UPA government, headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Congress supremo said the government was instrumental in boosting the economy and other sectors, besides attracting investments needed for various developmental schemes.

The BJP-led NDA government, on the otherhand, injected ''the poison of communal disharmony'' leading to instability of the nation for selfish ends, besides building walls of disaffection between communities, thus failing to lead the nation on the path of progress, Ms Gandhi said.

With the Centre and the State doing their best to develop Goa on all fronts, the people should strengthen the Congress government further for providing good governance, tempering democracy and promoting further development, while denouncing attempts by some parties to disrupt peace and promote instability, she added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane, GPCC president Ravi Naik, AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa desk and Maharahtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh spoke on the achievements of the Rane government.

Deputy Chief Minister and state NCP President Dr Wilfred de Souza, besides Congress nominees contesting from North Goa were introduced to Ms Gandhi on the podium.

The party had erected huge banners and flags at the venue, while the workers were seen wearing the party caps and sashes, besides T-shirts, which are proscribed by the Election Commission.

UNI