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Tirupati: Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday sounded the election bugle in Andhra Pradesh by addressing two massive public meetings and seeking another term for the ruling Congress party.
Addressing a meeting in Anantapur to wind-up her day-long visit to the state, she claimed that the Congress party brought a complete transformation since it came to power in the state and at the centre in 2004 and exuded confidence that people would continue their support to the party.
The public meetings at Anantapur and Tirupati set the tone for the ruling party's election campaign.
Simultaneous elections to the state legislative assembly and Lok Sabha are likely to be held early next year.
Secularism
The Congress president said the Congress party alone could take the country forward economically in an atmosphere of brotherhood among different communities as the party believed in secularism and equal respect for all religions.
"TDP [Telugu Desam Party] or no other party has genuine and deep commitment for people, especially for poor," she told a crowd of about 400,000.
Sonia's visit was significant in view of the recent political developments in the state, especially launching of Praja Rajyam by Telugu superstar-turned-politician Chiranjeevi.
Sideswipe
Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy also used the occasion to criticise Chiranjeevi. "Some film actors are coming forward and saying they want to serve people. Don't believe them. Tell them that public service is not acting," he told people without naming the actor.
The Congress president lavished praise on Rajasekhara Reddy's government. "Nowhere in the country so many development schemes have been taken up as in Andhra Pradesh," she said.
She noted that the state was leading in women's empowerment, pensions, insurance coverage and housing for weaker sections. "Self-help group movement has brought a silent revolution in the state and I am proud of what my sisters have achieved in Andhra Pradesh," she said.
Terming the India-US nuclear deal a "historic step", she said energy was the greatest need of the country. "We need more nuclear projects to produce electricity for our homes, industry, towns and villages," she said.
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