PM conducted himself with dignity, UPA stands by him: Sonia

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday rallied behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, launching a scathing attack on the main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking on the occasion of the presentation of the report card of UPA-II, the alliance chairperson hailed the Prime Minister for carrying out his responsibilities with great dignity, despite the opposition launching an unwarranted attack on him. She went on to accuse the opposition of spreading misinformation on the issue of corruption in the UPA. Asserting that the government had been uncompromising in its approach towards corruption, Sonia said that there was no reason for the UPA to hide anything or be defensive. According to the UPA chairperson, the opposition parties were spreading misinformation to confuse and demoralise people, and the need was to be alert and counter the false claims. Addressing a gathering of the UPA constituents and supporters, Sonia said that it was an appropriate moment to celebrate, and also to reflect on what the government had sought to do in last nine years. Sonia asserted that the changes brought about by the UPA in the country could not be questioned, adding that the weaker sections of the society had been empowered by the initiatives of the government. She, however, added that the government expected the high growth rate to return. Hitting out at the opposition, the UPA chairperson said she was disappointed over disruptions in Parliament by the NDA despite repeated offers by the government for debates and discussions on all issues. Sonia appealed to the NDA and other Opposition parties to come together and collectively help the government pass the food security and land acquisition bills. "We are disappointed that we have not been able to get crucial legislations enacted entirely because of this obstructionist approach. Parliament still has time to fulfill our duties to our people," she said at a function to celebrate four years of UPA-II. "I take this opportunity to make a fervent plea to the NDA and other Opposition parties -- let us come together and collectively ensure passage of the food security and land acquisition bills and other important bills," she said.