In Himachal Pradesh electioneering for the election to the 68-member assembly is gaining movement with the date of election coming nearer. The Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday addressed an election rally at Mandi. She alleged that the BJP Government in Himachal Pradesh could not utilise the liberal financial assistance provided by the UPA Government at the centre for the development of the state which resulted in the lapse of ten thousand crore rupees. Sonia Gandhi regretted that despite liberal central assistance, BJP leaders accuse the central govt of discrimination against the hilly state.

Stating that suspicion is being created among the people about the FDI , Sonia Gandhi clarified that the FDI in retail will greatly help the fruit growers, farmers and consumers besides encouraging investment and generating employment opportunities. She said that the central government has not made it mandatory and it is up to the state government whether to implement FDI or not.

Referring to the hike in the prices of diesel and LPG, Sonia Gandhi said that 80 per cent of petroleum products are imported and fluctuation in oil prices at the international market compels the government to recourse to such unfortunate steps. She said that like in other congress ruled states, Himachal Government should have also reduced the rate of VAT on petroleum products so as to give relief to the common people.

While admitting that corruption in the country has assumed an alaraming proportion, Sonia Gandhi that in bid to contain this social evil, the Congress get it passed the Lok Pal Bill in the Lok Sabha but the BJP did not allow it to be cleared in the Rajya Sabha. and it shows BJP only pretends to be crusader against corruption only to serve its political ends. She reminded that RTI act was passed by the Congress Government at the centre to root out corruption and it had yielded good results in bringing about transparency in the administration.