Camp: Gulbarga, Karnataka

Date: 1st February, 2014

Time: 4 pm

Sonia Gandhi in Gulbarga, Karnataka takes on BJP, says it will do anything to grab power

Gulbarga: Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched party’s campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha

elections in Karnataka by addressing a huge public rally in Gulbarga on Saturday. While speaking on the occasion, Sonia Gandhi

said that the Centre amended the Article 371 of the Constitution for giving special status to the backward Hyderabad-Karnataka

region.

The Congress President highlighted the pro-people measures taken by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre and

attacked the earlier BJP government in the state for not implementing those schemes properly. “Unfortunately, earlier, because

of the misrule of the corrupt BJP government here, the benefits of these schemes and policies could not reach its targeted

beneficiaries. But, now, the present Congress government in the state has been putting its sincere efforts to implement the

central schemes properly and promptly, and the people of all sections are gaining from it,” said Sonia Gandhi and added “..The

present government in Karnataka, it has been working for the welfare of the people... The government and the Congress party

have been trying to deliver on the promises made by us during the election campaign”.

“We all must know that one can reap the benefits of development only if we get rid of the menace of corruption. I do not have

to explain the double stance of our opposition on corruption, as you have experienced it under BJP rule in Karnataka” Sonia

Gandhi said.

“Congress always led the battle against corruption, from the front. That is why we enacted Right to Information Act and passed

the Lokpal Bill. All the Congress ruled states will constitute a strong Lokayukta by this month end. While the BJP and other

opposition parties are making false promises, spreading rumours and false allegations against us, we have been concentrating

on our pro-poor efforts” underlined Sonia Gandhi and emphasised, “We do not talk much, but just act. BJP and opposition

parties talk big but only Congress delivers on its promises”.

Once again taking on the BJP, the Congress leader continued, “Do you think that these opposition parties, who are busy in

blowing their trumpets and making false claims on achievements, can do anything for the development of the country? Can they

address the issues of the poor? No; never. They have just one aim – the chair. They will do anything to grab power. We all must

be vigilant against such forces. We must identify their real, true face”.

“Congress is not at all bothered about securing power but is bothered about the country and its people. Our concern is to make

the dream of our youth a reality. Congress’s concern is the welfare and upliftment of the poor. Our concern is to maintain

secularism, brotherhood and harmony of our country so that we can progress in the required manner” said Sonia Gandhi and

concluded, “Your struggles are Congress party's struggles and your fight is the Congress party's fight”.

Earlier, Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the ESIC Medical College and buildings of ESIC Hospital, Dental College, and Nursing College

constructed at a cost of Rs 893 crore.

Full text of the speech of Sonia Gandhi at Gulbarga in Karnataka

I get a fresh energy whenever I come here. The people of Karnataka are politically well educated and I am grateful to the people

here for reposing faith in the Congress party almost all the time.

Since Congress formed the present government in Karnataka, it has been working for the welfare of the people. Our Chief

Minister has just gave the details of various policies taken up by the government and I do not want to repeat it. You know about

it better. The government and the Congress party have been trying to deliver on the promises made by us during the election

campaign.

We have just inaugurated a super speciality ESI Hospital and Medical college here. I am confident that this will benefit not only

this region but also the entire state. The people can avail r best health care facilities and the youngsters can get good education

at the medical college so that they can earn a good profession and can take the name of your state forward.

The UPA Government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has taken several measures for

the benefit of the people with a special focus on in health sector. The benefits of those policies are now visible in the country.

You all are aware of our Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme which guarantees jobs for the rural poor. I am also sure that you know

about our policies like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Food Security Act, Land Acquisition Bill, Gram Sadak Yojana, Indira Awas Yojana, as

well.

Unfortunately, earlier, because of the misrule of the corrupt BJP government here, the benefits of these schemes and policies

could not reach its targeted beneficiaries. But, now, the present Congress government in the state has been putting its sincere

efforts to implement the central schemes properly and promptly, and the people of all sections are gaining from it.

You must be remembering that the then BJP government in Karnataka had objected to give a special status to Gulbarga. But the

Congress government is concerned about the prosperity and welfare of this region and the people. I would like to recall that, last

time, from this very stage, Rahul Gandhi had promised special status to Gulbarga and the UPA Government has amended the

constitution and granted special status to the regions like Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellari, Koppal. We also have established Rs 500 cr

worth central university in Gulbarga so that the students here will be able to avail quality education.

We realise the strength as well as the difficulties of our farmers who have been shedding their blood and sweat for the

development. We, therefore, have decided to expand Almatti dam and to modernise its canals which will definitely bring in

more colours to the lives of our farmer brothers and sisters.

To empower the women in our country, we have been providing loans to them for self employment, at low interest rates,

through Self Help Groups. We also passed several Bills to ensure their safety and security. Our Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Right to

Education ensure free education for the poor children. We provide scholarships for the children belonging to minorities, Dalits

and Adivasis. Further the Centre extends its financial assistance to provide modern education for the kids studying in madrasas,

especially the girls.

We have been giving special focus on the upliftment of the minority through the Prime Minister’s fifteen point programme. We

have accepted most of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and its implementation is on full swing. For the

development of Waqf properties for the community welfare, particularly for Muslims in India, we have established the National

Waqf Development Corporation Limited, which was inaugurated just two days before, by our Prime minister.

We all must know that one can reap the benefits of development only if we get rid of the menace of corruption. I do not have to

explain the double stance of our opposition on corruption, as you have experienced it under BJP rule in Karnataka.

Congress always led the battle against corruption, from the front. That is why we enacted Right to Information Act and passed

the Lokpal Bill. All the Congress ruled states will constitute a strong Lokayukta by this month end. While the BJP and other

opposition parties are making false promises, spreading rumours and false allegations against us, we have been concentrating

on our pro-poor efforts.

We do not talk much, but just act. BJP and opposition parties talk big but only Congress delivers on its promises.

Do you think that these opposition parties, who are busy in blowing their trumpets and making false claims on achievements,

can do anything for the development of the country? Can they address the issues of the poor? No; never. They have just one aim

– the chair. They will do anything to grab power. We all must be vigilant against such forces. We must identify their real, true

face.

Friends, this the noble land of saints and soofis. This is a symbol of our composite culture. I am, therefore, pretty sure that, you

will not allow such divisive forces - which try to divide our nation and its people on communal lines, indulge in spreading the

poison of hatred and disharmony - to grow and succeed.

Congress is not at all bothered about securing power but is bothered about the country and its people. Our concern is to make

the dream of our youth a reality. Congress’s concern is the welfare and upliftment of the poor. Our concern is to maintain

secularism, brotherhood and harmony of our country so that we can progress in the required manner. This has been the vision

of the Congress and we will continue with our battle in this direction for ever.

Your struggles are Congress party's struggles and your fight is the Congress party's fight.

Jai Hind...

Jai Karnataka.