Food security bill not implemented in Kashmir by NC: Sonia

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Friday said lethargy of the National Conference prevented the Congress from implementing its pro-poor programmes in Jammu and Kashmir.

Continuing her day-long election campaign for the Congress, Sonia Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Ramban assembly constituency Friday afternoon.

"They (NC) did not implement our programmes including the food security bill although we gave them full support to run the government," she said.

The Congress president sought support for party candidate Ashok Kumar for Ramban so that her party could carry forward its agenda of implementing the food security bill in the state.

Gandhi reiterated what she had told an earlier Congress election rally in Bandipora constituency.

"The Congress has over a century-old relationship with Kashmir. We will always be with Kashmir in times of happiness and grief," she said.

Referring to the links of the Nehru-Gandhi family with the state, she said Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had an emotional relationship with the state.

She said the state had touched milestones of development when Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was the chief minister 2005-2008.

"The biggest thing done by the Congress in Kashmir has been to ensure equitable development for all the three regions of the state including Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh," she said.

Congress leaders Azad, Ambika Soni and state unit president Saifuddin Soz accompanied Sonia Gandhi during her visit.

Earlier, she addressed a rally in Bandipora that was attended by over 5,000 people.

Ramban and Bandipora constituencies go to the polls Nov 25 in the first phase of the five-phase Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.