Bills passed, Sonia says pledge fulfilled

At the Congress parliamentary party meeting, Sonia Gandhi today took credit for the passage of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act and Protection from Domestic Violence Bills.

‘‘We’ve fulfilled our key manifesto pledge,’’ Sonia said, citing the passage of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill by both Houses. ‘‘The commitment to a National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is contained in the manifesto of only one party — and that is our party, the Congress. This is a matter of pride and satisfaction.’’ Having made this point, she sought to share her achievement with the PM. ‘‘Let us congratulate the PM because this has been possible under his leadership. He has had to balance various considerations but in standing firmly behind this bill, he is standing up for crores of our people whose lives depend on its success.’’

On the Women’s Bill, she said even though there was a consensus among UPA partners and Left on the original bill, the NDA ‘‘completely changed’’ its stand and went back ‘‘on what they have been saying so far.’’