Jaipur:
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today addressed a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Jaipur. Here are the highlights of Mrs Gandhi's speech:
- The Chintan Shivir allowed us to introspect on key national and international issues.
- I am delighted by the active participation of our young leaders at the Shivir.
- At the last AICC session, corruption was major issue. I laid out a five-point action plan then and the government has worked on it.
- We have introduced the Lokpal bill in Parliament.
- We have introduced new path-breaking legislation for addressing public grievances and to protect whistleblowers.
- We also launched the historic 'Aap Ka Paisa Aap Ke Haath' scheme, which will stop corruption by middlemen.
- Party must continue to lead battle against corruption.
- The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in Delhi has shaken the country. She embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure her death will not go in vain.
- Gender issues were discussed at the Chintan Shivir. The Congress has been at the forefront in the struggle to empower women, and it will continue to do so.
- Every woman has the fundamental right to feel safe and secure.
- Public figures made unacceptable remarks against women. We cannot tolerate mindsets that lead to crimes against women and children.
- I assure you I will continue to press for a law for 30 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies.
- Today is also the time for the party to introspect and see how we are better than our opponents.
- We need to clearly explain to the people why we are a better political choice.
- We have the support of all sections of the society. The Congress is especially concerned about the welfare of the backward sections, women and farmers.
- We will fight forces that threaten the unity and integrity of the country.
- Congress has worked to free the country from poverty.
- Leaders should not restrict themselves to favourites and must reach out to all political workers.
- Our UPA government has worked very effectively under the leadership of Manmohan Singh.
- Global recession is having an effect on India and has forced the government to take some hard decisions, which have hit the people.
- We should explain to the people the reasons for these hard economic decisions.
- People are losing faith in politicians. We have to understand why this is happening.
- There are only 15 months left to the Lok Sabha elections. If we work well, there is no doubt we will be re-elected again.
- This is a time to work; on every platform we have to demonstrate our work. As the country's main political party, the people's expectations from us is higher.
- We cannot let down the people who have put their faith in us.