Congress launches poll campaign in Uttarakhand

Haridwar, Mar 11:

today kicked off its poll campaign here with Chief Minister Harish Rawat asking people to foil the machinations of fascist forces and vote the party back to power at the Centre to set the country firmly on path of progress.

"If Congress returns to power at the Centre after these elections, the problematic question as to who would be the prime minister would not pop up its head for the next 40 years," Rawat said at a roadshow in the holy city.

Describing Congress as a temple, Rawat said, "We have to see the temple, its idols and not the priest because they keep changing. Whoever does a good job will remain," he said.

Asking party workers not to shout individualistic slogans, he said if they work with dedication for the party, there is no doubt Congress will come out with flying colours in all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state. The five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand go to polls in the eighth phase on May 7 and none of the major parties has so far announced its candidates for the state.

Rawat: Congress alone can provide a stable government at the Centre

"Stability is a prerequisite for development and Congress alone can provide a stable government at the Centre. Fascist forces which are out to grab power need to be stopped at any cost," Rawat said. People must realise that they can remain secure only under Congress rule and should vote the party back to power at the Centre so that it can accomplish its unfinished mission of development, he said.

Launching a scathing attack on BJP, he asked people not to be misguided by anti-Congress propaganda of the opposition. He also asked partymen to iron out their differences and strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha polls.

The seven-day yatra will cover over 100 km before concluding on March 21 with a gap of three days in between for the festival of Holi, he said.

PTI