New Delhi, May 22
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed satisfaction at the UPA government’s performance during its first year in office since it had begun redeeming the pledges contained in its Common Minimum Programme (CMP), but warned against complacency in view of the many challenges ahead.
Speaking at a brief and low-key programme, held at the Prime Minister’s residence to mark the UPA government’s first anniversary, Mrs Gandhi emphasised that while implementing the “vast agenda that awaits us”, the ruling combine must not lose sight of the fact that it is “first and foremost a coalition with a social purpose.”
The UPA government, she said, must ensure that the “concerns of our diverse society remain at the centre of our collective endeavour”, thus emphasising the government’s focus on the cause of rural poor and other marginalised sections. While stressing the need for rapid economic growth, Mrs Gandhi reiterated the government’s commitment to a “compassionate, just and equitable” society.”
Mrs. Gandhi said the past one year had not been easy especially for the Congress which for the first time had to learn the ways of participating and governing in a coalition. Nevertheless, she said, the past year had demonstrated that parties could pursue larger national interests without sacrificing their respective political and electoral goals. At the same time, she took a swipe at the BJP, saying that the UPA also had to contend with an opposition which was yet to accept its defeat in the last Lok Sabha poll.
While thanking all coalition partners as well as Left parties that made it possible to achieve as much as it had in the past year, Mrs Gandhi went out of her way to compliment Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who, she said, had “provided a dignified and effective leadership to the government” and instilled confidence at home and enhanced India’s prestige abroad.
Mrs Gandhi urged all UPA partners to further strengthen and institutionalise their commitment to the people. “A UPA that is cohesive and consistent in word and deed can certainly provide the caring and liberating governance that is due to our people,” she stressed. She said its must be their effort to see that “transparency, accountability and probity” are not empty slogans but a living creed.
Such an approach, according to Mrs Gandhi, would also give priority to policies that were designed toe encourage the creative and entrepreneurial abilities of the people, especially the youth. She said the UPA partners had come together not merely to form a government but to create a new political alliance with
mobilisation and activism as its main thrust.
On a personal note, Mrs. Gandhi said it would always be her endeavour to ensure the smooth functioning of the UPA alliance.
