BJP trying to weaken RTI, says Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for trying to weaken the Right to Information (RTI) Act brought by her party to combat corruption.

"The Congress has given the country a strong tool to combat corruption, the RTI, but the BJP is trying to weaken it to save the corrupt people," said Gandhi while addressing a rally in Jammu.

She also took on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government at the Centre over the recent inappropriate comments made by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti.

"Some Ministers of the Central Government are using inappropriate words against some people of the society, and no action is taken against them," she said.

Sonia Gandhi further criticized the BJP for making false claims of 'acche din' to the nation and making promises to bring back black money stashed abroad.

"The BJP is showing big dreams to the people and they are making such promises which they don't intend to fulfill. They promised that the black money will be brought back, but nothing has been done in this regard. The BJP has increased the prices of medicines and given benefits to the private companies," she said.

The Congress president also used the occasion to salute all those martyred soldiers, who laid down their lives while fighting for the nation.

"Those people living on the border areas and our jawans are dying in Pakistani firing. The Congress Party will always salute them," she said.

She said that the farmers are in trouble because rates of the seeds are increasing.

"I want to warn you. You need to be alert from sweet talks of the BJP," Gandhi added.

She also said that whenever the Congress party got a chance to work for Jammu and Kashmir they left no stone unturned for the development of the state.

"We always pressed upon the implementation of Food Security Act in Jammu and Kashmir but couldn't succeed. But if with your support the Congress party comes in power in the state then we will implement this law and all of you will get wheat, rice, cereal at reasonable rates," Sonia Gandhi added.

She also assured to work for the development of youth and the minority, and said that if Congress comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir, then there will be all round development, unity in the society and democracy will strengthen.

Earlier today, while addressing a rally in Anantanag, she said that her party had worked for the development of the state without any bias.

Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed 58 percent voter turnout in the third phase of the assembly elections and 71 percent polling in the second phase.

The fourth and fifth phase of the assembly elections will take place on December 14 and December 20 respectively. The result of the polling will be announced on December 23.