Jaipur declaration calls upon secular and progressive forces to unite in the fight against divisive forces; Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi calls for transformation of system to give youth a role in political space.

In his first address after being appointed Vice President of Congress, Rahul Gandhi on Sunday spoke of the anger of the youth, saying they feel alienated from the political class. Rahul Gandhi demanded a complete transformation of the system to give them a role in political space.

Addressing the concluding session of AICC in Jaipur, Rahul said we need to meet their urgent demand of jobs. In his 40 minute speech, Mr. Gandhi said only a handful of people control the political space and power is highly centralised. People feel they are outside the system. He said, we have no respect for knowledge and we respect only position. He criticised hypocrisy in the system and called upon young people to play their role.

The party also released the Jaipur declaration which calls upon secular and progressive forces to unite in the ideological battle against those who polarise the society. Congress President Sonia Gandhi in her address said that Jaipur declaration will be the future document of the party.

The 56-point declaration says that the party will continue to be at the forefront of fighting corruption, especially at the bureaucratic and political levels. The draft promises to create ten million jobs every year.

On Pakistan, it said any dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilized behaviour. When these principles are violated India should not hesitate to take credible action, it said.

Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwary said that the UPA government has given political stability, communal harmony, economic development and internal security to the country.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that the government is committed to strong Lokpal and he is confident of passing the bill soon. Dr. Singh said in spite of global recession India's GDP recorded 8.2 per cent growth rate.

He said per capita income of rural areas has also increased six times during the last eight years. Admitting that elimination of corruption is, the need of the our, Dr. Singh said government understands people's anger and it has taken many steps in this regard.

About Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that the government is constantly reviewing its ties with that country. India, he said, wants friendly relations with Pakistan but it is not possible with one sided efforts.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi called upon partymen to play a proactive role on social and political fronts. She said Congress is committed to the upliftment of the poor, women, minorities and weaker sections and will continue to work for elimination of corruption.

Mrs. Gandhi said cash subsidy scheme will ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach the people directly. She said election reforms are needed to restore peoples faith in the political system.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram expressed confidence that the economy will again achieve eight percent growth. He said there are indications that investments are picking up and foreign fund flows will continue to be abun