Sonia: BJP came to power selling fake dreams, we will bounce back

“These people are re-announcing schemes which the UPA government had implemented. Tell me, who implemented Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan in every village. Who started the programme for building toilets under MNREGA? Who gave women equal right to their father’s property. Who brought a strong law to protect them from domestic violence. Who promoted self-help groups to financially empower women…The UPA government did all this,” she said.

“We did so much, but people were caught in a trap… those showing false dreams marched ahead. But it does not matter. Victory and defeat are a part of life. The real thing is sticking to one’s principles and I can say with my head (held) high that Congress never compromised on its values to reap benefit in electoral politics,” she said.

Speaking on Women Reservation Bill, she said: “Despite difficulties, we passed the Bill in Rajya Sabha… Unfortunately it could not be passed in Lok Sabha because of some parties… We will mount pressure on the NDA government for its early passage,” she said.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said the battle is not between two organisations, but two ideologies and two distinct schools of thought. “In their (BJP) thinking, women should be worshipped. Goddesses should be worshipped, but women should not be empowered. In their view, women should remain in their homes and be silent. We think women should come out of their homes, get education, run businesses… We are not against worshipping them, but they should be empowered.”

He said women members of Congress should become a “tsunami”. “A tsunami of Mahila Congress should come into the party. Fill Congress with the strength of women and I will field you from wherever you can fight — be it panchayat, municipality, MLA or MP elections,” he said.