Sonia Gandhi says all opposition leaders need to work together on issue of national importance

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said that all the opposition parties should work together on the issue of national importance. On Thursday Sonia Gandhi presided over a meeting of opposition leaders and asked them to work together from now.
“We need to work together on issues of national importance and adopt common strategy both inside and outside Parliament,” Gandhi said.
Highlighting some of the topics which were discussed by Gandhi in the meeting, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “Sonia ji remarked a few things during her speech. First, we have to work together on issues of national importance. Second, we have to be very careful as far as ideology of hate is concerned. Third, rampant incidents of violence across caste and communities. Fourth institutions are being undermined. Fifth, present govt is using Aadhaar as a tool to breach privacy. Sixth, Economic health of country remains precarious. Seventh, Unemployment is a matter of great concern for the nation & the govt is doing nothing in this regard. Eighth, price rise of essential commodities in general & fuel in particular is another matter of great concern. Besides these points there are several issues which may rise. We should altogether adopt a common approach and strategy both inside and outside the Parliament.”
The meeting, held at the Parliament Library Building, is seen as part of efforts to galvanise support of all 17 parties which had come together during the presidential and vice presidential polls against the ruling party.
The meeting was attended by several leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, senior party leaders Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, RJD’s Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, TMC’s Derek O’Brien, CPI national secretary D Raja and SP’s Ramgopal Yadav were also present there.
It is to be noted that this is the first meeting chaired by Gandhi after relinquishing the post of Congress president last year. She continues to be the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).