Sonia Gandhi: Congress acted strongly to combat corruption

Congress President Sonia Gandhi while speaking at the Jaipur Chintan Shivir of the party on the last day accepted that corruption is the biggest modern Indian problem and said that Congress has come out as a strong party to combat corruption with an efficient five point agenda. This agenda, she said,  includes the introduction and passing of the ‘Lokpal Bill’, better allocation of natural resources, transparency in governance, and the Direct Cash Transfer Scheme (DBTS). The DBTS will eliminate corruption by middlemen.

"Let me reiterate that corruption at all levels is a deep-rooted malice and all sections of society are affected by it. As a party, we must lead struggle to combat its effect," added Sonia Gandhi. Referring the UPA government’s recent economic reform measures, Sonia Gandhi said that government was forced to take tough decisions due to financial crisis which were affecting the people. She was delighted that a lot of young leaders are participating in the meeting and this will help the party project young leadership. The Congress President also said that in last three days the Congress had tried to assess its own self.

Congress has tried to acknowledge its own strength so that it can come out with clear answers that why Congress is the best party. “Congress is exceptional as it has been following the footsteps of stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Bhimrao Ambedkar. Congress has produced leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi who have had immense contribution towards the development of India” said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi, who is also the UPA Chairperson also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several decisions have been taken to benefit the common man and cited legislations like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Right to the Education Act and the proposed food security and land acquisition bills. "Nowadays every party makes claims of development. This is a fact that development in itself is an election issue and its entire credit goes to the Congress system of functioning," she said.

Congress president reiterated that that unlike any other party Congress came out as a party which ensured and will continue efforts in upholding a secular and peaceful nation. It will continuously fight poverty and social inequality.