Sonia woos tribals in Madhya Pradesh

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Thursday spoke about the various social security schemes launched by the UPA government, in her bid to woo the tribals of Madhya Pradesh.

Addressing an election rally in Sidhi, around 600 km from state capital Bhopal, Gandhi said the Congress has made efforts to emancipate the tribals and the poor.

"We have made laws under which the consent of farmers and tribals has to be taken before their land is taken over," she said.

"We have attempted to stop migration from villages with the help of schemes like NREGA that have provided jobs," she said.

The Congress chief said the union government has made education free for children up to the age of 14 years, and has created various schemes to help women.

"We have worked for the betterment of women. We have provided them free medical facilities in hospitals," she added.

Gandhi assured the tribals, weaker sections of society and women that the Congress will keep fighting for their interests.