Sonia backs PM, asks Congress leaders to explain reforms to people, counter Opposition

New Delhi: Looking to strengthen the party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday asked party members to follow the manifesto thoroughly and also counter the Opposition's campaign. She said that while some economic decisions hurt the people, the Prime Minister's leadership has helped in such difficult times. "There are economic difficulties and PM's leadership has helped us. Some decisions have been taken which have hurt people, but we need to explain to the people," Sonia said.

She added that the Opposition's campaign against the congress needs to be replied to. "Opposition's campaign against us needs to be replied to. They are desperate for power even at the cost of our democracy," the Congress President said.

In her speech to the party workers at the Congress's 'Samvaad Baithak', Sonia said, "Ministers must implement the policies mentioned in the manifesto." Stressing on more communication between the party and the government, Sonia said that the ministers should listen to what party workers have to say.

In her speech at Congress\'s \'Samvaad Baithak\', Sonia Gandhi also stressed at communication between the party and government.

"The party and the government need to have dialogues as often some within the party are surprised at the government's decisions. The needs of the party and the government have to be balanced. The ministers should listen to party workers," Sonia said.

All the top leaders of the party including Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi were present at the Congress's strategy meet in Surajkund. On the agenda of the meet was a strategy to combat corruption charges and ways to strengthen the party ahead of elections. Rahul Gandhi's long awaited elevation within the party is also expected to finally come up at the meet.

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