Allegations against PM part of a conspiracy: Sonia

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday shut a growing speculation in the party over continuation of Dr Manmohan Singh as the prime minister in the wake of worsening economy, policy paralysis and allegations of corruption, making it clear that he enjoys her confidence.

She chose to make her support to the PM clear right in the opening remarks of a day-long closed-door extended Congress Working Committee, sensing mood of the senior leaders wanting to seize the opportunity to hit him for all failures.

She also laid stress on the image makeover, pointing out that the people would judge the party from its leaders conducts and public image.

In her brief 5-minute address, she regretted about a 'conspiracy' of the opposition parties and some anti-Congress elements to level baseless charges on the PM, the United Progressive Alliance government, the Congress and other colleagues and declared that both the party and the government will fight them effectively.

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Though the assembled party seniors, which included chief ministers, leaders of Congress legislature parties, state party presidents besides the central leaders, may not use Team Anna's charge of the PM's hand in the 'coalgate' scam to gun for him, Sonia's posture sent a clear signal to them that Dr Singh is going to stay for now and should be backed to defeat those attacking him personally.

She said the party and the government has to face two challenges, one unleashed with unfounded allegations every day and another concerning the economic problems of the common man.

She hailed the UPA government's report to people on completion of three years of its rule as a 'document of successes despite difficulties'.

Praising the UPA government's several pro-people policies, she said their implementation mostly lies with the state governments and it is here that the non-Congress governments are not cooperating as expected in a democracy.

"Despite that, we are not allowing the policies to falter," she said.

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Clearly indicating that the present meet is to get ready for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls as also several assembly elections, she called for immediate preparations to make the organisation strong at every level.

She told the assembled leaders that the party workers are capable of facing any challenges, but their morale is broken by the 'political games' the leaders play.

"Our strength will be doubled if even half of the energy we spend in groupism and unnecessary talks is attributed to strengthen the party as the people make the political valuation not of any individual, but that of the organisation," she stressed.

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