Sonia appeals to vote for progress instead of power-mongers

Hubli, May 17 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today called upon the people of Karnataka to choose progress and development instead of voting for political parties which have power mongers.

Addressing an election rally here, she said the Congress stood for progress and development of the people and the region while other parties always fought for Chair to meet their selfish ends.

Ms Gandhi said Congress, ever since assuming power after country attaining Independence, been striving for progress, but the non-Congress government which came to power in between for short-durations hampered the progress.

''Congress is committed to fight for country's development, while non-Congress governments at the states never completed their terms and this truth is in front of you all people,'' she added.

''Vote congress for stability and development'' she said adding that the UPA government at centre led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has done everything for the upliftment of backward classes, poor, downtrodden and women.

UPA government created history through loan waiver of Rs 60,000 crore for farmers, so that they start things afresh but other political parties, including Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) always showed lip-sympathy and never did anything for the farming community, she alleged.

Ms Gandhi said the Congress had also taken the issue of Women Reservation Bill and tabled it in Rajya Sabha. Several proposals to generate employment for youth and 93 per cent working class, reeling under unorganised sector, have been implemented.

Asserting that the terrorism did not belong to any religion or caste and referring to Jaipur serial blasts, Ms Gandhi termed it as anti-social and anti-human. There was need for united fight against terrorism and ''let us all join hands to do it,'' she added.

She assured the people that steps would be taken to develop Hubli-Dharwad as Information Technology hub and completion of Hubli-Ankola rail-line project. Priority would also be given to drinking water, she added.

Ms Gandhi wanted the people to elect the Congress candidates for the progress and harmony of the state.

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