Congress calls on secular forces
Congress vows to create 10mn jobs every year Sonia will oversee passage of Women’s Bill
The Congress on Sunday called on all secular and progressive forces of the country to unite in an ideological battle against those who polarise and divide the society.
In its 56-page draft Jaipur declaration, the party said Congress will go to the people on the basis of the performance of UPA government, the promise of stability and good governance and restatement of its core values.
The party also promised to create 10 million jobs every year, citing opportunities for the youth. It vowed to be at the forefront of fighting corruption, especially at bureaucratic and political.
A day after Rahul Gandhi’s appointment as party’s vice-president, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday targeted youth, women and middle class in the party’s quest for widening its base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Opening the AICC meeting here after the two-day chintan shivir, she also did some plain speaking with her partymen saying they should not indulge in nepotism and should show unity to face the challenge of elections which are only 15 months away.
She said the party leaders should work for the welfare of all and not restrict themselves to their “favourites”. “I am sure if we make the right efforts with unity, there is no doubt why we will not get the mandate again.”
Under attack over slow response to public protests in the wake of the gangrape incident in Delhi, Mrs Gandhi said people were right in demanding answers and actions in the case as safety of women was a fundamental right.
She also said the atrocities on women and children was a reflection of “shameful” social mindset which needed to be changed.
Maintaining the Congress has always been in the forefront of the struggle for the full empowerment of women, Ms Gandhi assured that she will personally continue to press for the passage of the law that would provide for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. Speaking at the meet, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referring to the gang-rape incident in Delhi, said the country has to travel a long way to provide women with equal social and economic equity. “Their (women) contribution to development and prosperity is necessary.”
He also said that his government is committed to a strong Lokpal and confident that “we will be able to pass the bill soon.”
Finance minister P. Chidambaram said India can now see the “first green shoots of revival” of economy and expressed confidence that it will again achieve 8 per cent growth.