Sonia Gandhi kick started Uttarakhand campaign

We need to change the Government, not the CM says Sonia Gandhi in Roorkee

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi kick started the campaign for the Congress in poll bound Uttarakhand. She said that the present state Government has been betraying the people in the name of development. Sonia Gandhi also said that the natural treasures of Uttarakhand are being looted and the only way to prevent it is by changing the present government. Taking a swap at BJP she pointed out that by merely changing the Chief Minister won’t help as what we require is a change in the Government. 

“Uttarakhand is the land of brave people. The people from here had played a crucial role in the movement of freedom struggle. Even now a lot of people from Uttarakhand work as soldiers in the borders of our country to protect our nation.

As far as Roorkee is concerned, the entire world takes the name of this place with respect and pride. It was from here the first steam engine took off in 1851. A lot of students who are the future of our country have been studying in the prestigious IIT here. Uttarakhand is blessed with its natural beauty and is a treasure to watch. 

But I have to say that some people in Uttarakhand try to loot the natural treasures of this state in the name of development.  Development does not mean selling out the precious lands in the beautiful hill stations. Development means proper electricity, education, ensure health to all sections of the society, protecting the rights of the people and the welfare of poor, farmers, downtrodden, minorities, backwards, women, dalits and adivasis. 

For the past few years the ruling party (BJP) has been betraying the people of Uttarakhand. It tried to cover its dishonest face with mask of lies. But when the mask got unveiled they changed the Chief Minister. The truth is that though they changed the Chief Minister, nothing changed in Uttarakhand. The rampant loot and the cheating are still prevailing. 

Only 10% of the people got the benefits of the Congress-led UPA Governments Mahatma Gandhi NREGA policy. Only 40% of the funds were utilized by the BJP Government. Unemployment has  increased. If we want to help the people of Uttarakhand, if you want to get your beautiful Uttarakhand back, if you want to protect your own rights,  only a CM-change won’t do, but the government needs to be changed. For that you will have to defeat the BJP in the coming elections and elect a Congress Government. I am confident about your support and I am sure that you will vote and elect a Congress Government.

The Congress led Government at the centre have been framing policing for the benefits of every section including Dalits, Adivasis, farmers, women and the poor. We implemented policies like Rajiv Gandhi Electrification Scheme,  Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, National Rural Health Mission, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Mid-day meal scheme, Gram Sadak Yojana, Self Help Group scheme for women.  

All the states ruled by the Congress has been implementing these policies properly and reaping the benefits. But the Government here in Uttarakhand is not serious in this matter. The entire development we witness today in Uttarakhand was done by the Congress. The IIT, IIM, Central universities, AIIMS at Rishikesh, different management institutes, all brought by the Congress and we have recently laid the foundation stone for the Rishikesh-Karna Prayag railway line. 

We do understand your problems and we have assured to find solutions for those in our election manifesto. We intend to cancel the license policy to help the sugar cane farmers, to expedite immediate payment for the sugar cane procurement, to constitute an Urdu Farsi Board for helping the minorities, to provide computer education for the students in Madrasas at Government’s cost and to provide them free training at IITs and Government polytechnics. We also wish to grant state level recognition to the mela held in Haridwar, Hemkunt.

We are committed to work for all sections of the society. Like this beautiful place, we want to make all the people happy and self reliant. I therefore request you to support the Congress and elect a Congress Government in Uttarakhand. I also request you to play an important role for the progress of this beautiful state by ensuring every single vote for the Congress”.