Need to be pragmatic in encouraging investment: Sonia

Stating that there were "various protest movement across the country relating to land, forest, water and livelihood, tribal and gender issues", she asked the party to proactively take up these causes.

Gandhi said that the Congress-led UPA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since 2004 has introduced 'truly' revolutionary programmes and enacted historic legislation flowing from the party's manifesto.

Highlighting that "the lack of employment thwarts aspirations and fuel frustration, crime and violence", Gandhi said that the country needs to pay attention to skilled employment.

"The country has to pay far greater attention to skilled employment especially in semi-urban and urban areas.

"This requires us to be pragmatic in encouraging investment which is the only way the country's employment goals could be achieved," she said in her opening remarks at the party