Sonia takes on RSS for creating social schism

Sonia stepped up her attack on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying they were power-hungry and were least bothered about inclusive growth.

On the other hand, she said the Congress had been instrumental to promote growth in every sphere. ‘’Despite a slew of decisions, which paved way for all-round development of the country, parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena and Aam Aadmi Party are criticising the Congress party. We really don’t understand which spectacle they are wearing,’’ she said.

Sonia listed some of the key programmes and projects, including Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Right to Education and Right to Information Act. Besides, she said the party had proposed right to health and pension security in its current manifesto.

Curiously, after carefully listening to Sonia’s 15-minute speech, a 22-year-old Saurabh Bhoyar, a first-time voter, told Business Standard:  ‘’My family has been wholeheartedly supporting the Congress. I have yet to make up my mind. I have been watching advertising war between the Congress and BJP. I am yet to understand is there any Modi wave?’’ He, however, admitted that for a first-time voter like him, he would vote for a party, which would take India to a high level of growth, while taking along all sections of the society.

Shantabai Chapke, 80, said she would vote Congress this time too. ‘’I do not understand what Modi means by Congress-free India. Does he know how much the Congress party had worked during the Freedom struggle. Further, The Congress party’s recent decision of food security scheme is quite revolutionary, while the employment guarantee scheme has given an assured job at an assured wage.’’

However, Sampat Deopare, in his forties, said both the Congress and BJP were not really keen for the betterment of the common man. ‘’As far as Nagpur is concerned, the Congress and BJP are promising the heaven, while AAP wants a corruption-free society. It all depends on whether voters come out in a large number to cast their votes or enjoy a holiday,’’ he noted.