Modi government took credit for schemes introduced by Congress, says Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of taking credit for the schemes and programmes of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and stated that despite doing so much, the Congress-led alliance lost in the Lok Sabha polls as people got misled by false promises. "Some individuals laid out a trap in which people got stuck," said Sonia.

Sonia reminded people about the 'Asha worker scheme' under the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) and the toilets constructed under Nrega.

On the occasion of 70th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress President said that empowering women was one of the two priorities which the Congress leader had pursued ever since he had become the general secretary of the party. He believed that no country can move forward by ignoring half of its population, she said. Sonia said her party will put "full pressure" on the current government to pass the Women's Bill as soon as possible.

The Congress chief said that the late prime minister also wanted that women get representation in Parliament and assemblies. She, however, regretted that nobody took the issue forward after Rajiv's death.

Unfortunately the bill could not get passed in Lok Sabha because of some political parties, she said, noting that

the Congress-led UPA government took up the issue when it came to power in 2004 and ensured passage of the measure in Rajya

Sabha.

"Today, we are in the opposition but, the Congress will not withdraw from its commitment to women's reservation and we will build full pressure on the NDA government to pass the bill as soon as possible," she said.

Sonia urged all loyal Congress members to help restore Congress to its former glory and position.