Sunday, December 4 2005 19:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Munshiganj (Amethi): Rueing a dearth of basic amenities in Uttar Pradesh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today (December 4, 2005) could be due to a lack in sincerity among those in high positions in the government or administration.

"There are some shortcomings somewhere due to which the work of providing basic facilities such as education health, power and roads could not be completed so far," she said after inaugurating the ambitious Indira Gandhi Eye Care and Research Centre at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital here.

She said this could be the result of "lack of sincerity and dedication on the part of those occupying high positions in the government and administration".

The UPA Chairperson also took a dig at the political firmament, saying it was natural for "such political parties" to have a lust for power but power alone was not everything.

She said those "who are in politics only for power area selfish".

Gandhi, however, said she would take up any "political issue" as she had come to her son's constituency for some "good work".

The Congress President also chalked out the party's priorities.

"We have a deep concern for Uttar Pradesh and have to strengthen the Congress as well as improve the conditions here)," she said.

Besides Amethi and Rae Bareli, the Congress would be working for the development and prosperity of the entire state for which, Gandhi said and sought the people's cooperation in this regard.

The Indira Gandhi Eye Care and Research Centre, which is the dream project of Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi, has been set up by the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust with the assistance of Aravind Eye Care System in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Sonia Gandhi was accompanied by her family - son Rahul, daughter Priyanka and son-in-law Robert Vadra.