Rejecting the talk about two power centres and differences between them, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said there is "collective leadership" between her and Manmohan Singh and "we all stand by" the Prime Minister who will complete his term.
Hailing Singh's performance over the last nine years, Gandhi hit out at the main Opposition BJP, saying it is playing "obstructionist" politics and stalling major people-oriented reforms measures like the Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill.
Seeking to dispel the perception about disarray in the government, she said, "there has been a calculated effort in some quarters to deliberately falsify and create innuendos to spread misinformation and untruths... These have only one aim, that is to confuse, demoralise and thwart the government's functioning."
"There are no differences between the Prime Minister and me. There is collective leadership," Gandhi told reporters at a function held to celebrate four years of UPA-II government.
She was responding when referred to the talk about two power centres and rift between them on various issues.
The Prime Minister has been carrying his responsibilities with "great dignity" in the face of "unrelenting hostility", she said.
Singh, in turn, described Gandhi as a "source of inspiration" and said he always got support from her.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also echoed his mother's sentiments, saying "There is no difference between the party and the government. There is no difference between Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister. This is creation of the Opposition."
At the function, where UPA's key outside ally Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was conspicuous by his absence, Singh and Gandhi highlighted the appreciative work done by the government towards "just and inclusive" economic growth and addressing the needs of people, especially the weaker sections.
"We are not going to be deterred or distracted by the drummed up noise being created around us," she said, adding, "we have much to be proud of, we will continue to look ahead with confidence, knowing that the people of the country will recognise the value of what we have accomplished.
