Congress shows its prowess in Andhra Pradesh

The ruling Congress party on Thursday gave an emphatic reply to the film star-turned Chiranjeevi's half-a-million strong inaugural rally by mobilizing about a million people to Sonia Gandhi's public meeting in Anantapur on Thursday.

Virtually launching Congress' election campaign for the next general election in the state Sonia Gandhi urged the people of Andhra Pradesh to stand by with the Congress and gave their blessings to it so it could complete the transformation of the state and the country in to a prosperous economic power.

Lashing out at the opposition, Sonia Gandhi said, "No Telugu Desam Party or no other party has genuine and deep commitment and feeling for the people of Andhra Pradesh, especially for the people of poorer sections. It is only the Congress party that cares for each and every citizen for our beautiful country", she said.

Recalling the overwhelming support the Congress had got in Andhra Pradesh in 2004 elections, Sonia said, "I have no doubt that you will continue to extend your support in the days ahead."

Recounting the sufferings of the farmers in the drought-prone Anantapur district during the TDP regime and suicide by large number of farmers, Sonia said that these sufferings had triggered various initiatives by the UPA government at the centre and the Congress government in the state like, national rural employment guarantee scheme, waiver of Rs 66000 crore debt of farmers, increase in input subsidy and free electricity to the farmers.

She said, in Anantapur district alone 2.8 lakh farmers had benefited from the loan waiver scheme of the UPA government.

She exuded confidence that the bill for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies introduced by the UPA government in Parliament will be passed soon.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy also sought the blessings of the people. Pointing out that elections were coming and the Congress was ready to face them at any time, he cautioned the people against opposition parties' slogans.

"TDP had done nothing when it was in power and now it is coming with Mee Kosam (For you) Yatra. You must ask for whom this yatra is meant."

With out taking the name of film star Chiranjeevi and his Praja Rajyam party, Rajasekhara Reddy said, 'service to the people is not like acting in films'.