Firdaus Khan
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh). Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi while addressing a mammoth election rally in Moradabad said that the non-Congress parties – BJP, SP and BSP – follow the divide and rule policy like the British. “For the past 22 years parties like BJP, SP and BSP, have been trying to divide the people in the name of caste and religion. They are following the policy of divide and rule,” said Sonia Gandhi.
 “There is a glorious past for this historic place where a number of people sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle. There was a time when all materials were imported from outside to India. But after the Independence Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru along with our other great national leaders helped the country to stand on its own feet. The entire people in our country also played a crucial role in it, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh.  Uttar Pradesh was the pride of our country then,” said the Congress President, striking an emotional chord with the people.
“But now what is the situation in Uttar Pradesh?,” she asked. “Because of the divisive polices of the parties like BJP, SP and BSP the state of UP has now lost its way. How long will you tolerate this?” she asked again. “Now the time has come to put an end to this mayajaal of divide and rule policy,” asserted Sonia Gandhi.
“Now we should change this state of affairs. Congress is fighting this election with an agenda of bringing back development in the state. The long history of service and commitment of Congress is well known. Congress had lost elections in the past. But the people re-elected Congress without much delay as they acknowledge our performance. You know that the Congress led UPA Government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh has been in power at the Centre since 2004,” added the UPA Chairperson.
Referring various welfare scheme of the Congress led UPA Government Sonia Gandhi continued, “Despite all the problems, UPA Government has done a number of welfare schemes and policies for the people. We implemented Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy to address the issue of unemployment in the villages by which every poor is guaranteed for a minimum of 100 days’ job every year. The UPA framed policies like Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to ensure house, water and roads, National Rural Health Mission to provide adequate health facilities for the poor, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan to ensure that every children in the age group of 6 to 14 get proper education, Mid-day meal scheme to ensure food to every children in the schools, Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana, opened up new Universities and implemented Rajiv Gandhi Electrification Scheme to provide electricity at every place”.
She said that the Centre made a number of schemes for the development of U.P and sent thousands of crores of rupees to the state under various schemes. “The Government at the Centre sent more than one lakh crore rupees to Uttar Pradesh.  But it is a matter of great concern that the people of Uttar Pradesh could not avail the benefits. All these funds were swindled out in corruption and scams. There are reports of corruption in MNREGA and NRHM schemes,” she concerned.
“The people in UP have been witnessing the rule of criminals and a politics of hatred. There are some parties which try to spread the ill-will among different sections,” said the Congress President. 
Referring the policies by the Centre for minorities Sonia Gandhi said, “It was Congress which implemented policies for the minorities. Congress implemented the recommendations of the Sachar Committee. For the first time in the history, a separate ministry for the minorities was formed. We also gave loan worth five lakh crores of rupees under the Prime Minister’s fifteen point programme for minorities. Under Sarva Shiksha Abiyan several new schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas were opened at various minority dominated areas. We also increased the budget for the Maulana Azad Foundation to provide financial assistance for the modernization of the madrasas. To help our sisters in the minorities we designed an easy-loan scheme for those who want to start their own business.  We also granted 4.5 percentage reservation for the backward Muslims. I can name a number of such policies which clearly prove our commitment”.
Sonia Gandhi then explained the various policies for women and said, “I am sure that it was Congress which implemented more policies for the welfare of Dalits, Adivasis, backward class and minorities than anyone else. We are also concerned for the growing atrocities and crime against our sisters. We, therefore, granted 50% reservation for the women in the Panchayats and municipalities to empower them and to make them self reliant. We also helped them by way of Self Help Groups and by doubling the wages of the Anganwadi workers. We introduced the Janani Suraksha Yojana to ensure proper health for the women and children.”
“SP, BJP and SP always talk about clear administration. But we witnessed rampant corruption, loot, and injustice under their misrule. They are now coming again to the people with toll promises.   Do not be misled by the campaign of these political parties,” she warned.
“Congress treats everyone equally,” said Sonia Gandhi and added, “When the poor farmers were struggling because of huge debts, the UPA Government helped them with a scheme to waive off their loan worth more than Rs. 70,000 crore. But due to the wrong policies of the state Government the farmers in UP could not avail its benefits. We increased the procurement prices to help the farmers. There is no shortage of fertilizers at the Centre and it sent fertilizers to UP, too. But because of the corrupt distribution system by the state Government, the farmers are not able to get adequate fertilizers in UP.” 
“We will have to change this situation. We should bring back the lost glory of Uttar Pradesh. We want to ensure a good future for the youth in the state. We want to free Uttar Pradesh from the evils of corruption, crime and injustice. We want the youth in the state live with pride,” asserted Congress President..    
 Addressing the people in the city, famous for its famous brass industry – which is also called "Brass City" or Peetal Nagri, Sonia Gandhi said, “Apart from various other issues, we also understand the problems being faced by the people engaged in the brass and carving business. Our election manifesto has addressed this issue and we will work towards to find a solution. We will work with commitment and devotion to fulfill our promises. I am here to seek your support to accomplish the mission of Congress to change the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh”. 
She exuded confidence that the electorate would pay attention on these issues and vote for her party in the coming elections. “I request you to support the Congress and ensure every single vote in the favour of Congress,” said Congress President Sonia Gandhi while concluding her address to the mammoth rally here.