Mount Abu: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on November 8 said India needs a strong Centre, states and panchayati raj system for the speedy development of the country.

Inaugurating the two-day conclave of party Chief Ministers on November 8 morning, Gandhi said, "NDA government has comprehensively failed to address the problems of people and they are looking towards Congress Party to take them out from stagnation to progress and darkness to light."

"It is because of the Congress ideology, hard work and commitment that the people are looking at the party to provide a government which should be fundamentally different from the non-Congress political parties," she said.

Gandhi, who convened the fourth conclave in New Delhi to review the performance of the Congress ruled states in the light of 'Guwahati resolve', asked party Chief Ministers to review and introspect their performance and shortcomings in fulfilling the party's manifesto related to programmes meant for the welfare of the common people.

PTI