Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Oct.22 (ANI): Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi on Monday charged the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules in the state of Himachal Pradesh of making "big" promises, but failing to fulfill them, and added that its sole objective was to target the Congress on issues that have no foundation or basis.
Addressing a party rally in Mandi ahead state assembly elections, Gandhi said: "BJP has made big promises in Himachal Pradesh and made their govt here. What have they done for the people?
Dwelling on the issue of corruption, which has left the UPA Government cornered in recent times, Gandhi defended the record of the central administration on the issue of tackling corruption, by saying: "The tools to fight corruption have been brought by the UPA, not the BJP."
Sonia said the Congress has acted sternly in dealing with corruption.
"Corruption is a cancer, which has spread to our entire system. We brought RTI to fight corruption. We dealt with corruption related complaints sternly. BJP is only against Congress not against corruption," she said.
On the rise in the prices of essential commodities, she admitted that this was because of inflationary trends, and added that her party and the government were concerned about it.
"It is a matter of concern for us. Congress-ruled state governments' have reduced VAT, but why has the (BJP-ruled) Himachal Pradesh G overnment not reduced VAT?" she asked.
She added: "The UPA decided to bring FDI. The BJP is unnecessarily creating noise. We have left it to the state government whether to implement FDI in their respective states or not."
Gandhi said Central funds to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore had been released to Himachal Pradesh, and added that the BJP Government in the state has not made adequate efforts to implement various Central schemes.
"There is a difference between the promises and actual work of the BJP," she said and charged that the saffron party was only pretending to fight corruption and rising prices and did little efforts on the ground. These people (BJP) are taking big about tackling corruption when they themselves are deep into it. Their fight against corruption is just a show off. Before raising a finger against corruption, they should introspect," she said.
Elections to the Himachal Pradesh assembly are scheduled to be held on November 4. (ANI)