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The endorsement came at the first meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after the Opposition-sponsored bandhs fizzled out after much sound and fury with SP pledging support that also nullified any negative effects of Trinamool Congress' walk-out from the govt, which made party president say government was "stable".
At the same time, there was a demand in the meeting for steps to allay apprehensions of people regarding the new economic reform measures initiated by the government at a time when elections are due in some states in the next few months.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured the party's apex decision-making body that the steps being taken for the poor and the disadvantaged will continue in league with the Congress policies for development and welfare of the 'aam admi'.
The meeting of the CWC, which began with opening remarks by Gandhi, saw the government making a strong pitch for reforms with Finance Minister P Chidambaram making it clear that unless the country's economic condition is sound, the government is not in a position to implement the flagship programmes of UPA targeted at the poor.
The Prime Minister said that effective steps for welfare of the poor cannot be taken unless the economy is strong.
Explaining the rationale behind the measures, Chidambaram said the government wants that the country should not get affected due to the global economic crisis.
In her opening remarks, Gandhi said that reforms in the economy are "very necessary" and the government has begun the moves in that direction.
The Congress President also slammed BJP for playing "negative" politics, saying the main opposition party should play the role of a responsible opposition as was done by Congress when it was not in power.
Congress sources said that there a likelihood of the party organising a massive rally in Delhi in support of the measures initiated by the government.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was specially called for the meeting, which saw members suggesting that rallies should be held at district level to convince the people about the need to bring in the measures like allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, hiking diesel prices and putting a cap on the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders to households.
While no resolution was adopted after the meeting, the tone and tenor of Gandhi's speech made it clear that the party was fully behind the government on the issue.
Chidambaram was called to brief the CWC members about the economic reform measures, which led to a political storm culminating in Trinamool Congress withdrawing support from the ruling alliance.
The CWC meeting came five days after a nation-wide bandh by the opposition in protest against the measures. UPA constituent DMK had also joined the bandh.
Replying to questions, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said that there was nothing like a dissenting note from any party leader on the economic reform measures.
"No such thing came up in the CWC meeting," Dwivedi said when asked whether somebody raised a dissenting voice on the government measures like diesel hike and FDI.
There was no discussion on the issue of Telangana, he said.
There were earlier speculation that the party can firm up a view in the CWC meeting on the vexed issue of separate statehood.
Though the Congress President did not take any names, sources said Gandhi mentioned in her opening remarks that while one party (Trinamool Congress) has withdrawn support from UPA, two allies (SP and BSP) have reiterated their outside support to the government.
"Government is stable. There is no threat to the government," Dwivedi quoted Gandhi as saying in the meeting.
Sources said that a senior party member felt that if possible, the number of subsidised LPG cylinders to each household should be increased.
The CWC was of the view that all precautions should be taken to remove the apprehensions of people on FDI.
Briefing the CWC, Chidambaram said the government has only three options to improve the economy of the country including raising production, increasing investment in the country and cutting on subsidies on which it is working.
After a number of CWC members expressed the view that there is a need to convince people about measures and counter the Opposition campaign against the government on the issue, it was decided that the week-long campaign carried out by Union Ministers and senior Congress leaders in different states will be extended further.
The Congress President also expressed sorrow over incidents of communal violence in few states and the violent ethnic clashes in Assam.
AICC general secretary Gulchain Singh Charak, who belongs to Jammu and Kashmir, expressed concern over killings of sarpanches in the state and pointed out that they have not been given powers though more than one-and-a-half year has passed since panchayat elections were held in the state.
The concern prompted Rahul Gandhi to say that it was a serious matter and required attention. Panchayat elections in J & K took place after a gap of 34 years.
A view was also expressed in the CWC that opposition parties ruling in states are making political capital out of central schemes by passing them as their own initiatives.
One of the leaders raised this in the context of Gujarat, saying posters of Chief Minister Narendra Modi are put up to display work carried out under central government schemes.
It is good to see both Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh on the same page as far as reforms are concerned. I think now the UPA government should bring in more reforms to boost the economy. However, in return, the government must take immediate steps to enact Sonia Gandhi's pet Food security bill at the earliest, preferably in the next session of Parliament. Further, the government must now bring the much needed administrative and governance reforms to remove or at least reduce corruption and inefficiency. These administrative reforms are as important as the economic reforms, if not more. So the Lokpal bill and citizen charter among other important similar bills must be passed in the next session of Parliament.
dont be happy as public is not fool.it is attempt to hoodwink people by diverting issues in connivance with pliant media. who will answer for scam and inactions by the UPA government and congress attempts to sweep under the carpet. reason is rulers are themselves are corrupt rather absolutely corrupt.
Govt shud get back black money invested by investors frm abroad so that economy can be stablised
If you want to save India, the first thing to do is to divide the state of UP. Mayavati & Mulayam speaks about secularism - what are their base - SC/ST or Yadav Muslim combination? Congress ruled this state for years and produced 3 PMs & 1 Super PM. Still UP is the state which is lagging behind even Bihar for development. At the same time, see what this so called family parties (state parties) are harmful in supporting the Congress or BJP when these major parties do scams, you cannot topple the Government due to self interest of regional parties. Now, Mayavati, Mulayam, Mamata, Jayalalita (State Parties) will decide what the whole India should have. What Parliamentary Democracy are we talking about. What is the best solution to come out of this Demo-Crazy system and take into to a self reliant & successful country?
The act of Duriyothanan is always appreciated by the Dhirutharastranan who is blind !!
Will some body in the Congress or Government the difference between the poor and the AAm Admi? How will the FDI help the poor when he has just to exist from the bounties from the Government. How will the Government take care of those who have means just to live without doing any work or token work as under the MNREGA? I still fear the Government is planning without paying attention to ground realities.
The party has endorsed the reforms measurs of PM.For these three years the Govt got no time to do reforms in economic front as their ministers are busy in various Scams. Now the Govt.has carefully increased price of Diesel and also reduced allotment Cylinders in a year and also introduced 51% FDI in various cities.It is seems to be depolmatic trick to divert attention of public from various scams done by various ministers of Congress or other allience partners.
