Camp: Sasaram (Bihar)

Date: 3rd April, 2014

Time: 3.30 pm

Sonia Gandhi in Bihar, takes on JD-U, BJP

Sasaram: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched her campaign for upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar

by addressing a massive election rally at Sasaram.

Slamming the development claims of the BJP, the Congress leader said, “Nowadays, the BJP leaders are talking big and mislead

people by saying they are responsible for each and every development in our country. They try to spread that no development

took place ever before, under anybody. But the fact is that it is the Congress party which laid a strong foundation for

development across the country, including Bihar and Gujarat and it is due to this that today India is standing atop of world,

holding its head high”.

“Congress always fought to maintain social and communal harmony so that there would be peace and development in our

country. BJP does not realise that without peace and harmony a nation can never progress. Unfortunately, they spread hatred

and pit one against another. Their ultimate aim is just to grab power, at any cost. They want people to speak what they want

them to, want people do what they ask them to do; must see what they show them. For them only their ideology is correct and

wants everyone believes in it. They try to propagate that only their vision is right and everything else is wrong. They do not want

to respect the real vision and centuries-old ideology of India. Is this democracy? argued Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress President did not spare JD-U either and said, “We also must be cautious about those, who frequently change their

colours. There are parties who were with BJP till yesterday, but became secular, all of a sudden. These people level baseless

allegations against us just to cover up their faults”

“We don’t have a Congress government here in Bihar since long. But the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, in the past

10 years, extended all possible help and financial aid to Bihar. You know better whether those funds, sent for development of

this state, were used properly or not” said Sonia Gandhi adding “We want all citizens live with proud holding his head high”.

“The Central government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, did fulfil most of the promises made in our manifesto

for 2004 and 2009 elections” said Sonia Gandhi and then continued her attack on BJP. “Our opponents, who themselves are

indulging in huge corruption, level baseless allegation against the Congress party; but they will never tell you that it was the

Congress which implemented the most powerful weapon to fight corruption – the Right to Information Act. Every person is now

legally entitled to gather any information regarding government functioning” she said.

“Congress, truly adhering to its ideology, will continue to put in our sincere efforts for the development of our country and

welfare of its people. Transforming the lives of common people will always be our focus” said the UPA Chairperson. “Those

people who frequently change their masks from time to time, is not with you but they are just power hungry. They are after

posts” reminded Sonia Gandhi while concluding her address...

Full text of the speech of Congress President Sonia Gandhi at Sasaram in Bihar

Entire Bihar, especially this region, has produced many brave leaders who had an active role in our great freedom struggle. Our

leaders also fought very hard to uplift the downtrodden after independence. The efforts by Babu Jagjeevan Ram for the

development of this region and welfare of its people are known to all of you. You also are aware of the struggle he put in to find

solution to the scarcity of irrigation water here. Realising this serious issue of the farmers here, he had started the construction

of Karamchat dham. Though the construction was stopped in between, now Meira Kumar ji intervened resumed work and now

the project is nearing completion. Once the dam will be in operation it will be a great relief for our farmers here and I am sure it

will transform their lives.

I am happy that Meira Kumar has been following the footsteps of Babu Jag Jivan Ram ji and putting her sincere efforts for the

development of this region. She just had explained about those and the results of her efforts are in front of you.

We don’t have a Congress government here in Bihar since long. But the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, in the past

10 years, extended all possible help and financial aid to Bihar. You know better whether those funds, sent for development of

this state, were used properly or not. Congress policy has been to focus on development of all back ward regions and we want to

ensure that every section of the society and every individual avail benefits of development. We want all citizens live with proud

holding his head high.

The Central government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, did fulfil most of the promises made in our manifesto for

2004 and 2009 elections. The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA – the scheme to guarantee minimum 100 days of jobs to rural poor, the

right to education – to provide free education for children up to 14 years are some examples. Despite all sorts of opposition, we

could pass the food security bill which ensures that no one in our country lives in hunger. The revised Land Acquisition Bill now

prevents any forcible land grabbing and also assures adequate compensation for the lands acquired.

Our opponents, who themselves are indulging in huge corruption, level baseless allegation against the Congress party; but they

will never tell you that it was the Congress which implemented the most powerful weapon to fight corruption – the Right to

Information Act. Every person is now legally entitled to gather any information regarding government functioning.

It has always been the focus of the Congress to uplift the women at all levels and empower them. We have launched several

schemes for their education, health, marriage and infants. Your Member of Parliament Mrs. Meira Kumar is a living example of

our commitment for women empowerment as we made her as the first ever women speaker in the Lok Sabha. I also take this

opportunity to appreciate her tremendous efforts to successfully do justice to her assignment.

I understand, if any one of a family falls sick, entire family will have its impact. On many occasions, a poor family is forced to

spend huge amounts for treatment which affects other household affairs like children’s education, very adversely. We,

therefore, have promised Right to health in our 2014 election manifesto to ensure free treatment and medicines to all citizens.

Nowadays, the BJP leaders are talking big and mislead people by saying they are responsible for each and every development in

our country. They try to spread that no development took place ever before, under anybody. But the fact is that it is the

Congress party which laid a strong foundation for development across the country, including Bihar and Gujarat and it is due to

this that today India is standing atop of world, holding its head high.

Congress always fought to maintain social and communal harmony so that there would be peace and development in our

country. BJP does not realise that without peace and harmony a nation can never progress. Unfortunately, they spread hatred

and pit one against another. Their ultimate aim is just to grab power, at any cost. They want people to speak what they want

them to, want people do what they ask them to do; must see what they show them. For them only their ideology is correct and

wants everyone believes in it. They try to propagate that only their vision is right and everything else is wrong. They do not want

to respect the real vision and centuries-old ideology of India. Is this democracy? Can we ever believe such people? No; never.

We also must be cautious about those, who frequently change their colours. There are parties who were with BJP till yesterday,

but became secular, all of a sudden. These people level baseless allegations against us just to cover up their faults. I want to tell

such people that Congress has always been working for the upliftment and welfare of all sections – Dalits, Adivasis, poor,

downtrodden, minorities and women.

Congress, truly adhering to its ideology, will continue to put in our sincere efforts for the development of our country and

welfare of its people. Transforming the lives of common people will always be our focus.

We are passing through a tough phase. We are under grave challenges. So, you must take a decision after proper thoughts and

thorough introspection. Just remember; those people who frequently change their masks from time to time, is not with you but

they are just power hungry. They are after posts.

So, in the upcoming election, please ensure every single vote for Congress so that our candidates win handsome margin so that

there will be development and progress in our country.

Thank you. .... Jai Hind.