Letter to Congress Workers

Dear friends,

India is once again in election mode. Three states Bihar, Haryana and Jharkhand are going to the polls this month. By the time, you read this letter, polling will already have finished in most areas. But the issues that the Congress Party raises in its manifestoes and its aims and principles will not change. Like the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Party this time too is fighting the election on its commitment to the welfare of the common man. While the result of the Lok Sabha elections were not a vote against reform, they did caution the government that the needs and aspirations of the common man for basic infrastructure and economic security had to be looked after. That is why we formulated the CMP charter in consultation with our allies. It is this that will allow India to continue with its economic growth and better manage its integration within the global economy. It will help create an India where there is growth with equity.

What are these needs of the Common man that the BJP-led NDA totally neglected. The first of course, was rural development. India today is still a largely rural country and its farmers, especially small and marginalized farmers, need our help. Similarly, universalisation of education, the position of women, infrastructure development, are amongst some of the issues that are at the forefront of the UPA charter. While local issues dominate the electoral landscape of each state, these wider priorities have been restated in the manifestoes of each state. Good and responsible government that keeps the interests of the common man in mind is our main slogan.

In my campaigns across Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana I have seen a strengthening of secular forces. The BJP's divisive and communal agenda has been totally exposed before the people. For this we must thank all our Congress workers for the hard work and sincerity that they have shown in propagating the Congress's programme and aims. Let us hope that this will yield in a sweeping victory for the Congress and its allies in all the three states.