Sonia urges people to vote for Congress

Gulbarga, May 17 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today appealed to the people of Karnataka to vote for her party candidates saying that the Congress stands for development, progress and stability.

Addressing an election meeting here, she assured if the Congress is voted to power, it would develop the state and strive for the upliftment of Dalits, minorities, downtrodden and farmers.

Briefing the achievements of the Congress led-UPA government, she described the implementation of Employment Guarantee Scheme, waiver of loans to the tune of Rs 60,000 crore, introduction of the women reservation bill in parliament etc.

She said the Centre was implementing 'Desh Nava Nirman' programme and added that the UPA government is leading the nation in the development path.

Referring to the Jaipur bomb blasts, Ms Gandhi said the party was very sad about the terror act and loss of life. ''Terrorism is not only India's problem but it is also the world's problem,'' she said.

Recalling the sacrifice of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in fighting terrorism, she reiterated that the Congress was initiating steps to curb terrorism.

Criticising the BJP for its accusation of the Congress, she alleged that BJP was trying to divide the society on the lines of communalism.

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