Only Congress can provide communal harmony: Sonia

Margao, May 29 (UNI) UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said only her party could provide communal harmony, social justice and political stability, an agenda which was all inclusive for progress and development of the country.

Addressing an election rally here to canvass for her party's South Goa candidates for the June 2 Assembly elections, Ms Gandhi said that unlike the previous NDA government at the Centre, The UPA has been impartial in helping all States.

''When the Congress was in power in Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the State governments and the Congress party had to virtually bend before the Prime Minister during the NDA regime for money to tide over the drought crisis. But they played politics and did not extend help as it was not in their interest,'' she alleged.

She assured the UPA government's full support to the progress and development of Goa in the field of tourism, IT, Pharmaceutical, horticulture and bio-technology.

Without social and communal harmony, progress and development was impossible, Ms Gandhi said, adding, ''Goa is a jewel of India. Let the jewel remain as it is. The essential characteristics of Goa should remain unchanged.'' By casting their votes, the people will not just elect the new government but decide the fate of the State for the next five years. ''Whatever the incumbent government does, the aftereffect - good or bad - are felt for years to come. Hence, it is the responsibility of the people to vote for a strong and stable government, Ms Gandhi said, adding that the people have to choose between stability and unsteady government that will lead to destruction of the State.

''The Congress party has not only been instrumental in liberating the State in 1961 but also granting it Statehood 20 years ago. Since then, successive Congress governments have taken definite steps for development of the State,'' she said.

Ms Gandhi said when the BJP government was in power under Manohar Parrikar it not only delayed the Tillari dam project but also prolonged the enactment of Lokayukta Act and even misused funds alloted under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. But when Pratapsinh Rane government came to power, it completed the Tillari dam project and enacted the Lokayukta Act, which brought the Chief Minister and the Ministers under its purview.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report also indicted the Parrikar government of irregularities during the International Film Festival of 2004, she said.

Ms Gandhi also highlighted the Congress manifesto and the progress made under the Rane government and said if her party was voted to power, it would make genuine efforts to see that all the promises were fulfilled by the time Goa celebrates its golden jubilee of libearation in 2012.

She had earlier addressed a rally on Saturday last for candidate in North Goa in Panji.

Union Civil Aviation Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel, who also spoke at the rally, said the UPA government has decided to upgrade the Dabolim airport to international standards. ''Rs 500 cr have already been sanctioned and required land has been acquired by the Navy. Soon the Goa airport would be operational 24 hours,'' Mr Patel said.

UNI