Mandi, October 22
All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi today launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh, accusing it of corruption and not making any efforts to take the benefits of Central schemes to the poor and needy in the state.

Pepping up the Congress campaign for the November 4 Assembly elections, Sonia Gandhi addressed a huge rally at Paddal Maidan in Mandi and urged voters to throw out the “corrupt, inept and inefficient” Dhumal government and elect Congress representatives to restore the pace of development in the hill state.

Sonia said Central funds to the tune of Rs 10,500 crore allocated to Himachal had lapsed last year as the BJP government did not make adequate efforts to implement various schemes in the state.

“There is a difference between the promises and actual work of the BJP," she said, adding that it (BJP) only pretends to fight corruption and price rise but makes little effort on the ground.

Sonia said the Congress has taken concrete steps like implementing the RTI Act and moved the Lokpal Bill in Parliament to check corruption.

"Who brought the RTI Act? Did the BJP enact it? It was the UPA which brought the RTI Act to tackle corruption," she said.

The UPA chairperson sought to defend the recent hike in diesel prices contending that it was inevitable because of the increase in international crude prices. She, however, pointed out that Congress-ruled states had reduced VAT on diesel to cushion the impact of the fuel price hike, a move which was lacking in the BJP-ruled states. The BJP has also not increased the subsidised LPG cylinder quota to give relief to people, she said. “If the Congress can do it in Delhi and other states, why can’t the BJP in Himachal,” she asked.

Whenever the UPA government takes long-term decision like giving nod to the FDI to boost economy, the BJP always opposes it, said Sonia. “It is optional for states to accept or reject FDI”, she cleared. Sonia said the FDI will benefit farmers as it will eliminate commission agents.

Earlier, PCC chief Virbhadra Singh said the Congress has always strived for an all-round development in the state. “BJP leaders, on the other hand, are busy multiplying their wealth,” he said. Union Minister Anand Sharma said the Congress manifesto is focusing on youth, women, farmers and the weaker section. Leader of the Opposition Vidya Stokes said: “The Dhumal government has not done anything for the people. The party leaders are only interested in making additions to their wealth.”