Sonia asks party workers to make people aware of achievements

Mumbai, Jun 19 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today exhorted party workers to make the people aware about achievements of the UPA government at the Centre.

Speaking at a party workers meeting organised at the National Sports Complex in Goregaon here, Ms Gandhi said, ''the Congress-led UPA Government is the only successful coalition government, which has given justice to all sections of society.'' Her nearly 15 minute address focused on launching of the election campaign for Maharashtra, where elections are due in October next year. She also asked the party workers to maintain unity.

''Maharashtra has always supported the Congress and the state had given many leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale,'' she said, without forgetting to mention the name of Dr B R Ambedkar.

''The Congress is the only party, which considers the interest of common man as well as all sections of society,'' Ms Gandhi added.

''The UPA Government has implemented most of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), including the implementation of loan waiver for farmers, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) and several other schemes. Mid day meal scheme for the children is one of the biggest programmes in the world, which has been implemented,'' the UPA Chairperson said.

The proceedings during the day-long programme were marred when a group of Congress workers, supporters of Revenue Minister Narayan Rane, stood up and raised anti-Chief Minister and pro-Rane slogans.

A minor scuffle also broke out between the two groups of supporters.

Expressing her displeasure over the incident, MPCC president Prabha Rau said this was not in the culture of the party.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, in his speech, outlined the achievements of the Congress-led UPA Government and state government.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil was also present on the occasion.

The meeting concluded with a speech of Ms Gandhi.

Earlier, Ms Rau wished AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi all the best on his birthday today. Several Congress leaders distributed cakes on the occasion.

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