Live: Sonia hits out at BJP, says it is neck-deep in corruption

Amethi: Countering BJP leader Narendra Modi's attack on graft issue, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said those levelling allegations against Congress were “neck-deep” in corruption and challenged BJP to tell what action its governments in states had taken to punish the people involved in scams.Campaigning for Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president struck a personal note saying her son has worked with “dedication and hardwork” in the “karmabhoomi” of Gandhis and acknowledged the “affection” shown by the people of the constituency towards Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi.This was perhaps one of those rare times that the Congress President mentioned Priyanka's name in a party rally.A section in the Congress has been batting for a “bigger role” for her daughter in the party.Slamming the BJP for levelling allegations against Congress to “hide their misdeeds”, Gandhi said “they are spreading all kinds of canards against us”.“Those who are neck-deep in corruption are leveling allegations against us.... Congress has given RTI through which a number of corruption cases were exposed and action was taken against those found guilty. I challenge (BJP) to tell what action was taken in the states ruled by them.... Nothing happened,” she said at a rally.She said that while Congress has swiftly acted against those involved in scams, BJP has done nothing against the people accused of corruption. Gandhi also accused BJP governments in states of discriminating on the basis of caste, creed, religion and area, unlike Congress, “whose ideology is of equality and unity”.She also hit back at BJP for accusing Congress of policy paralysis, saying that measures like Right to Education, Food Security Act, Land Acquisition Act and MNRGEA “did not fall from the sky”.She said that it was because of Congress the country could see white revolution, green revolution, nuclear programme and work on infrastructure projects, adding that in future Congress will start pension, right to shelter besides other scheme.“You have given love and affection to both Rahul and Priyanka. Amethi is not only a karmabhoomi, it is also the place from where people have worked shoulder to shoulder with the Gandhi family,” she said.“I am sure that you all will support policies of Congress and ensure victory of Rahul and other candidates. I have handed over Rahul to you in 2004 following the tradition of Indira Gandhi, who had handed over her son Rajiv Gandhi to you,” Gandhi said touching an emotional chord. Reaching out to the voters of Amethi, Gandhi spelt out various initiatives taken by her son for the development of the region such as strengthening of both rail and road connectivity, setting up of educational institues and skill development centres and health care facilities.“All these were result of Congress policy..UPA government had done a lot of work in past five years... RTI, MNREGS were brought benefiting people”, she said.Earlier, Gandhi landed at Fursatganj from where she had take a helicopter till Nandmahar to address the rally but due to bad weather she travelled by road.At the rally ground too, strong winds damaged the tents and also a big screen installed to beam her address live to the gathering. Gandhi thanked the people for attending the rally despite the inclement weather. Read live updates of Sonia's speech: 2:52 pm: Sonia Gandhi ends speech. Shouts Jai Hind with supporters. 2:51 pm: Sonia: This fight is between ideologies. The BJP believes in divisive politics, whereas Congress believes in inclusive governance. I appeal to all of you to elect Rahul Gandhi and other Congress candidates. Come to vote in large numbers on polling day. 2: 50 pm: Sonia: We want to provide better job opportunities to youths. We have promised them jobs in our manifesto. 2:49 pm: Sonia: We will introduce pension for needly and poor people. Millions of poor live without a roof. We will give them the Right to Housing. 2:47 pm: Sonia: We brought MNREGA to help the poor agricultural labourers. We also brought the Food Security Act. Many poor families are unable to get their sick members treated in good hospitals. We are going to give Right to Free Medical Treatment for each citizen. 2:46 pm: Sonia: BJP leaders are speaking lies when they say nothing happened in last 60 years. Have we not developed in education, did we not bring Green Revolution, White Revolution? These were the results of Congress policies. 2:45 pm: Sonia: Those who are themselves neck deep in corruption, are crying hoarse about corruption. We brought the Right to Information which revealed corruption. We took action against our corrupt leaders. I challenge the BJP leaders whether they have taken action against their corrupt leaders. 2:42 pm: Sonia: Despite all pressures, you have supported Rahul and Priyanka. The people of this area have struggled with our family through all odds. Today lakhs of women are able to stand on their own feet. When the Food Park work will be complete, nearly 40,000 farmers of Amethi will benefit. 2:41 pm: Sonia: It was years ago, but for me it seems to be only yesterday when Indiraji came to Amethi and introduced Rajivji. In 2004, I introduced Rahulji to Amethi. Today I am happy, the reponsibility I had reposed in Rahul, he has carried out with distinction.2:40 pm: Sonia: You elected a Prime Minister who took India as a progressive country to the 21st century. There were no roads in Amethi, today it is developed. There were no schools and drinking water, but today Amethi today has an IIT-type institute and at least five big academic institutions. Every village in Amethi has a cellphone. This is all becaue of the contribution of Rajivji.