Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi hit out at the former BJD-BJP coalition government in Orissa for its failure to bring about development of the state.
There was no development in Orissa during the BJD-BJP rule in Orissa and the unemployment also went up, Gandhi said while addressing a massive rally at Santri near here.
She urged the voters in Orissa to cast their vote in favour of the Congress party to bring about the much needed development in the state.
The UPA chairperson also slammed the Orissa government on its failure to utilise the Central funds meant for providing basic amenities in the cities and villages of the state. Gandhi also stressed on the need for a strong and stable government at the Centre which can carry forward the developmental plan of the Congress led UPA government.
Refuting the allegation by the NDA that the Congress is soft on terror, she said the party needs no certificate from others on tackling terror when its two top leaders Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi gave supreme sacrifices for the country.
She pointed out that the NDA has no agenda except coming to power and it was bent on dividing the society on caste and communal lines as well as creating hatred among the different communities in the country. Referring to the achievements of the Congress led UPA government; Gandhi said the Centre has touched all sections of the society in terms of upliftment and development.