The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the Congress has worked towards ideals of secularism and social equality for the benefit of Aam Admi.
Addressing the Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi today, Dr. Singh said, the economic reforms are needed to create more jobs. He said, the govermnent has spent money on infrastructure development and tried to help the backward classes.
Referring to NREGA he said, the scheme has provided jobs to more than eight crore people and his aim has been to provide inclusive and hormonious growth. He regretted that the people are being misled about the government's recent economic decisions.
Refuting the perception that Foriegn Direct Investment, FDI will hit the interests of small traders, Dr Singh said there is a space for small and big traders in the provisions made by the government for FDI. He said FDI will benefit farmes and common people.
Pushing government's reform agenda, he said government has taken hard decisions after considering economic situation of the country. Dr Singh said that government has taken hard decisions only after assesing the economic situation of the country.
Dr Singh said Right to Education Act, RTE has enabled every child to get free and compulsory education up to class 8th. He said around 12 crore children are benefitted from Mid day meal scheme.
Addressing the rally, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said Congress is the only party which is secular. No other party can boast of that. She said that her party will be successful to meet economic and political challenges. Taking on the opposition Congress President accused it of trying to weaken the democratic institutions. She blamed the opposion for destabilizing the elected government and stalling the legislation of welfare laws.
Mrs Gandhi added that the party will fight all the graft charges against it. She assured that stern action will be taken against the corrupt. Mrs Gandhi also said that she understands that price rise has affected the poor but added that India's growth momentum is steady and rising.
Earlier, speaking at the rally, Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi blamed the Opposition for stalling the passage of Lokpal Bill. He vowed to bring the Bill again. Mr Rahul Gandi said that the Opposition has been opposing government's programmes without thought and understanding.
He said that since the time of independence, Congress has been providing solutions to all major issues. Mr Gandhi said Congress needs the youth to enter politics and bring changes. Promising that his party would work more for the nation in the coming years, he enumerated various acheivements of his party.
Congress general secretary said, his party is in power for eight years and several schemes and programmes have been launched for the benefit of common people. These include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gaurantee Act, MGNREGA and Right to Information, RTI.
