New Delhi, India: November 17, 2007 – Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, while addressing an AICC meet here today attacked BJP for being an obstructive and absurd opposition. She accused the party for their act of threatening Gandhian ideals of secularism in the states it rules.

Giving credit to the UPA of which she is the chairperson said that UPA has practically brought secular values to governance and administration.

''Unlike the BJP-led NDA our party does not play partisan politics,'' Sonia said.

Touching their achievements on govt. front, she said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has single-mindedly implemented the common minimum programme. ''No words are strong enough to condemn BJP attacks on the PM.''

She also underlined the welfare of minorities and govt. priorities and particularly pointed out that they are considering the recommendation of the Sachar Committee. She talked to strengthen the tribal areas, land ownership and the issues of forcible acquisition of land. (IR Summary).
 

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Sonia also laid ground rules to prepare the Congress for electoral challenges ahead regretting that the party had not been able to translate people's goodwill into votes.

She said leaders should not lose touch with the masses and avoid speaking out of turn.

While she was all praises for the performance of Congress-led UPA government, Sonia did express one regret. ''I regret we have still not been able to fulfill Rajiv's vision of women's quota''.

Nuke deal

Coming out in full support of the Indo-US nuclear deal, Gandhi said it would have no impact on India's atomic programme but enable the country acquire fuel and technology and help in getting the much-needed electricity for faster growth.

A day after the Left parties gave clearance to the government to approach the IAEA for working out India-specific safeguards agreement, she told the AICC meeting that there were differences with the outside allies but efforts were on to evolve a consensus through discussions.

Endorsing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance to the country that the agreement would not in any way affect the strategic nuclear programme, Gandhi said from the days of Jawaharlal Nehru, their policy was one of self-reliance.

''But international cooperation on our own terms is an inalienable part of this policy of self-reliance,'' she said.

Rahul Gandhi meanwhile was in the spotlight as he participates in his first AICC session since becoming General Secretary.

With Sonia Gandhi calling for a total revamp of the party organisation in Uttar Pradesh, the party is all set to promote him as a youth icon. Rahul is expected to address the session later today.