New Delhi: The political climate is heating up as parties sounded their poll bugle on Sunday. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addressed grassroot-level leaders in the Capital while Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the BJP's political resolution in Nagpur.
Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi launched the party's election campaign from Ramlila Grounds in Delhi on Sunday.
Addressing state and district presidents, Sonia made suggestions to strengthen the party and its working, something both she and Rahul have been stressing upon if the party has to improve its tally in elections.
The party's organisation is particularly non-existent in crucial states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Orissa. The Congress is likely to pass a political resolution which will outline the party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sonia said the party-led UPA Government has kept the aam admi, or the common man, as the focus of its economic policy during the past five years and was "ready, prepared and confident" to face the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Addressing the massive gathering of the party's district chiefs and grassroots workers, the Congress President said the party wanted people to reaffirm faith in it.
"The aam admi has been the overriding force of our economic policy. We have worked towards the welfare of farmers, the empowerment of women and welfare of weaker sections. We want people to reaffirm faith in the Congress. We are ready, we are prepared, we are confident," Sonia said.
Detailing the programmes of the UPA, she said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had been very effective and was "historic". "It is improving the lives of the poorest sections". The Right to Information Act has made administration transparent, accountable and enabled participation of people, she said.
She also said the mid-day meal scheme was providing nourishment to children. The Sarva Siksha Abhiyan was providing education to children, while the National Rural Health Mission had made healthcare more accessible.
Gandhi said every state, including the opposition National Democratic Alliance-ruled states, had received "unprecedented funding" for developmental activities, which was unlike when the NDA was in power, she added, taking a swipe at the Opposition.
She also detailed the Government's loan waiver scheme and other welfare schemes for people.
The entire Congress hierarchy at the Centre and from the states, along with all chief ministers and central ministers attended the meet.
(With agency inputs)
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