Congress President Sonia Gandhi address massive gathering of 'Kisan Rally

Sunday, March 9, 2008 (New Delhi)
NDTV
Riding high on the ''historic'' farm loan waiver, Congress on Sunday virtually launched its election campaign.

The party held a kisan rally at the Ram Lila grounds in Delhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee are all present at the venue.

Sonia and Manmohan Singh attacked the BJP for neglecting the farm sector and for its handling of terrorism.

A highlight of the rally was Prime Minister's assurance that the farm loan waiver would be implemented by June this year, which is significant in the wake of questions being asked as to how the scheme would be put into operation.

Both Sonia and Manmohan Singh refrained from making any reference to the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee also did not mention the issue, limiting himself to the pro-farmer steps taken by the UPA Government.

Sonia said, ''The NDA is accusing us of not doing enough for the farmer, it's like the thief berating the station officer.''

Manmohan Singh said, ''We never considered the farmers issue as a burden but as our duty towards the farmers.''

At the same time, Sonia voiced the party's concern on price rise, but said while there were international factors behind it, untiring efforts were on to tackle the problem.

The turnout was way below what the Congress party had anticipated, but that didn't deter Sonia Gandhi.

Without naming Advani, she said while a senior leader of the BJP levelled accusations against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament, the Congress does not need their certificate.

Taking on the opposition party on the issue of terrorism, Sonia reminded that militant attacks on Raghunath and Akshardham temples as well as Parliament and the Kandahar hijack episode took place under the tenure of Advani as Home Minister.

Sonia, in an apparent reference to the anti-North Indian campaign in Maharashtra, also declared that there should be no leniency towards those stoking regional and communal passions.

Nobody is talking elections, but clearly the tone and tenor has been sent with Sonia keen on building the momentum within her party. (With PTI inputs)
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[abhishekutkarsh]

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[akuap2001]

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[discoveredyou]

Haha looks like Tom Alter speaks better than him in movies like Kranti etc.

[jeejo1976]

Y'all sounds like India was the bestest place before she came to the country and before she came to politics.. Nice!

[uglyMUFTIS]

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[halfsecularnehru]

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[halfsecularnehru]

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[halfsecularnehru]

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[oldhinduwidow]

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[oldhinduwidow]

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