The Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi said that the party is fully committed to strengthen federalism which is a key tenet of the party and the UPA's agenda. Speaking at the Congress Parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi, Mrs. Gandhi said, the UPA is committed to working closely with the state governments to protect national interest and fighting terrorism and that trust and cooperation must be the anchor of Centre-State relations.

The Congress President said, the recent budget renews priority for faster and inclusive growth. She said, despite the tough fiscal situation, the budget has increased allocations for key social programmes such as rural drinking water, sanitation and rural roads. Ms Gandhi also said, the budget has also increased the outlay for the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, substantially.

Mrs. Gandhi urged the government to extend necessary assistance to the drought affected areas of the country. She also said the party organisation too must be active in relief and rehabilitation activities in those areas. She also stressed on discipline within the party and asked Congress MPs to get their act together before the next polls.

The Congress President today asked her party to expose the opposition's double speak. Mr. Gandhi said, it seems fasionable these days to criticise the government but this should not be allowed to deflect the party and the government. She added that the party should defend and project and speak forcefully and with confidence on what it has achieved despite difficult economic ties.