Saturday, February 19 2005 14:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Udhawa (Jharkhand): Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (Feb 19, 2005) charged the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) with pursuing divisive politics for selfish reasons while keeping serious issues on the back burner.

''The previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) regime failed to provide equal rights to the people as its politics has been centered around attaining the seat of power'', Gandhi said while addressing a well-attended election meeting in Udhawa.

Urging to vote for party candidate Thomas Hansda from Rajmahal constituency, under which the Udhawa block falls, the UP chairperson accused the BJP and its allies of conspiring to divide the society on communal grounds.

''But the people of the country skuttled their attempts by voting them out of power in the Lok Sabha while giving the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) a chance to work for them'', she said and alleged the BJP-led NDA in Jharkhand had also followed the same sort of politics.

''The UPA will take all sections of the society while implementing development schemes'', she said and stated the food-for-work programme to be implemented in 150 poor districts was waiting clearance in Parliament.

Gandhi said the people of Jharkhand thought they would get in a new life after the creation of the new State. But, she added the NDA Government ''failed'' to live upto their expectations.

''If the UPA voted to power, progressive programmes will be taken up with concrete efforts," she said.

Accusing the BJP of failing to follow 'raj dharma', Gandhi alleged the saffron party and its allies had been engaged in self-service while ignoring the people's needs.

Recounting the days of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the AICC (All India Congress Committee) president said both the former Prime Ministers had a special place and genuine concern for the poor, adivasis, women and the down trodden.

''This was the reason why Rajiv Gandhi renewed the Panchayat movement so that these sections are empowered. But the NDA Government in Jharkhand has failed to hold Panchayat polls, depriving them of their rights," she charged.

Claiming that the condition of Jharkhand people remained unchanged even after the State's creation four years ago, Gandhi urged the electorate to vote for the Congress and its allies to power so that concrete efforts could be taken to uplift the State.

The third phase of polling for 28 constituencies in Jharkhand is slated for February 23. While the first phase concluded on February 3, the second phase was finished on February 15.

Counting for the 81-member Assembly would be taken up on February 27.