Beohari (MP): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on April 12 lashed out at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre for "not fulfilling" its promise of removing fear, hunger and corruption from the country.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government has failed to remove 'bhay, bhookh and bhrastachar' from society," Sonia alleged while addressing a Gram Swaraj Sammelan.

Referring to the promises made by the parties in their manifestos and later not fulfilling it, Sonia said "it amounts to doing great injustice to the people".

Highlighting the need for keeping unity and integrity of the country intact, she said "if there is unity in the country then no power in the world can separate us" and criticised the BJP and its allies for dividing the people by spreading the venom of communalism.

Praising the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, she said it has set an example for others by taking lead in implementing the panchayati raj and recalled her husband late Rajiv Gandhi's vision on the issue.

"Had he been alive today he would certainly be happy to see the panchayati raj functioning effectively in the country," Sonia said, adding it was due to his vision today that the people of the village are shouldering the responsibility of their development.

PTI