Camp: Khariar, Odisha

Date: 5th April, 2014

Time: 4 pm

Sonia Gandhi attacks BJP, BJD at election rally Khariar, Odisha

Khariar, Odisha: Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on both BJP and

the BJD while addressing a election rally at Khariar in Odisha as part of her campaign for upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

She accused of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in the state of rampant corruption and non-performance when it came

to implementation of Central schemes for the poor in the state. Sonia Gandhi also slammed the BJP for hoodwinking the voters

with false and hollow promises and launching a tirade against the UPA based with lies and false facts. The Congress President

also informed that her party’s manifesto for the 2014 general election offers free health care and right to shelter for every poor

family if it is voted back to power at the Centre.

Sonia Gandhi went on with her attack on the BJD government in the state for its complicity in the huge mining scam that was

worth several lakh crores of rupees and said it was a pity that people of this mineral-rich state did not get any benefit from the

mining sector which was allowed to be looted in such brazen manner. The Congress leader also reminded the people of the

series of scams that have taken place during the BJD regime including the chit fund scam, mid-day meal scam and the dal scam.

Sonia Gandhi also lashed out at the state government for its failure to utilise Central funds meant for the marginalised sections

such as poor widows. She said development could have been much faster and better had her party been in government in the

state.

“If you compare the amount of Central funds that have flown into Odisha over the last 10 years of UPA rule with the money that

reached the state under the NDA regime, you will see a huge difference” she said. Sonia Gandhi further stated that unlike under

the NDA regime, the Odisha government had received huge amounts of Central funds and liberal assistance for development

work in the state; she said the BJD government had failed to deliver at the grass roots level.

She also recalled the significant role Rahul Gandhi played in defending the rights of the tribal people in Niyamgiri and said

Congress has always been on the side of the poor, dalits and tribals and had brought legislations for their welfare and their rights

to food security, forest, land and livelihood. “It was Rahul Gandhi who had visited Niyamgiri when the tribals were in trouble”

said the Congress President.

Taking on the BJP, Sonia Gandhi said while the Congress was committed to work for the poor and common people, the

opposition party was hankering after chair and power. The Congress President said the country was passing through a testing

time and people should discern between the genuine ones and those with masks.

Appealing the people not to fall into the trap of hollow and fake promises dished out by the BJP, Sonia Gandhi urged the voters

to support Congress in all Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in the state.

The full text of speech of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in Khariar, Odisha

I thank you all for your warm welcome. I salute this pious and historic place of Odisha. You people have struggled a lot

throughout your life. Congress party has always stood by you to fight against poverty and corruption.

Rajiv (Gandhi) ji had launched KVK program for your development when he had come here. The relation of Congress with you is

not of a day. When the people here were facing drought, Indira (Gandhi) ji had come and started Indiravati scheme to deal with

it.

When BJP was taking away your lands in Nayamgiri, Rahul (Gandhi) ji had come here, fought for you and didn’t let BJHP’s plans

to snatch away your rights to succeed.

Congress has been fighting for the tribals, poor, down trodden and weaker section of the society. Nobody has done it before,

like the way Congress did and as a result there is improvement in the lives of all sections.

Development could have been much faster and better had her party been in government in the state. UPA government has

implemented MNREGA so that you could get jobs but still people migrate from here for employment.

Even Supreme Court ordered an investigation for the scam of crores rupees here in Odisha. You know better than me about the

“mid-day meal” scam. This is not all, according to CAG report state government is also involved in BPL scam.

There are reports that scam of crore of rupees came out from a single Landmine. If we calculate the total amount it counts up to

lacs and lacs crore of rupees. Chit fund companies have looted you but there is no single investigation has been initiated till now.

On one hand there is massive corruption in the state on the other side state government is neglecting people’s welfare schemes

implemented by the Centre.

We had initiated Indira Gandhi Pension Scheme for women but this scheme also failed here due to the inefficient state

government. We had sent huge funds under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electricity scheme but the state government didn’t implement

that too properly.

To fight with malnutrition, UPA government enacted Food security law so that every poor would get food grains at a very low

cost. We have made a strong law against domestic violence and women atrocities. We have also implemented Land Acquisition

Bill for tribals. Tribals, Dalits and poor as they were facing forceful land grabbing. Now no one can snatch away your lands and if

acquired the people would get 4 times more rate than the market price. We have also initiated scholar ship scheme for girl’s

education.

But Odisha government has not been interested to implement these welfare schemes for you. Women are being exploited here..

BJP/ NDA and BJD mark false allegations against us but they do not see themselves. UPA has given lots of funds for your

development and growth in last ten years. If you compare the regime of NDA with UPA regarding the disposal of central funds,

then you will see a huge difference.

The UPA Government has sent more funds than any government to Odisha, for your upliftment and betterment. During the NDA

regime, Odisha received only very nominal funds.

Congress has always fought for the common man especially for poor, dalit, down trodden and weaker section of the society. We

will continue our effort and fight for you always. We want to make your lives better and this has been always our vision.

We don’t believe in giving false promises. We have fulfilled our promises. Our manifesto offers Right to Health for your

treatment and you will get free medicines, treatment and hospital facilities. We will also grant Right to Shelter for you.

Our country is going to through a tough time. You have to think deeply before taking a decision. You should discern between the

genuine ones and those with masks. The opposition party is hankering after chair and power. Don’t believe them and don’t fall

prey to them. Don’t not to fall into the trap of hollow and fake promises dished out by the BJP and opposition.

I urge you to cast your vote in favour of Congress candidates make them win with huge margins.

Thank you!

Jai Hind!