‘Another proof of our empowering aam aadmi'

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said the Women's Reservation Bill was part of the party's abiding commitment to empower the aam aadmi .

Addressing Pradesh Congress Committee presidents and party general secretaries, at a meeting here to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Congress, Ms. Gandhi said the commitment on empowering the aam aadmi through several legislation including the Right to Information and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act must be clearly conveyed to the people.

“The RTI marked a revolutionary step for transparent governance, empowering our citizens to hold us accountable for our actions. The NREGA empowered the rural masses with a guaranteed right to work and the Right to Education will provide quality primary education to all our children and now, the Women's Reservation Bill — when it comes to fruition it would be the realisation of Rajivji's vision to empower women politically.”

Describing the 125 years of the Congress as “momentous occasion,” Ms. Gandhi said it held a special political significance for the party as it coincided with the first year of the second term of the Congress-led UPA government. “The results of 2009 [elections] are an affirmation of the abiding faith of the Indian people in the values and programmes of the Congress, in our policy of inclusive growth for the welfare of the

aam aadmi .”

The All-India Congress Committee will launch a year-long commemoration. A special public function will be held at Jallianwalla Bagh on April 13 to commemorate the sacrifice of thousands.