Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Mar 26: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra expressing her support for the 21-day national lockdown terming it as 'welcome step'. She also suggested economic and health measures in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.
"As president of the Congress, I would like to state that we will support and collaborate fully with every step taking by the union government to ensure the containment of the pandemic," Sonia Gandhi wrote in the four-page letter.
"At this challenging and uncertain time, it is imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour one's duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity," the letter stated.

The Congress supremo also stated that the party will offer complete support and cooperation to the government during these testing times.
She recommended the centre to consider deferring all EMIs for 6 months and waive interests charged by banks for this period.
Further, she asked the government to 'immediately put in place broad-based social protection measures including direct cash transfers' to daily wagers, MNREGA workers, factory workers, construction workers, farmers and others in the unorganized sector.
Sonia Gandhi also recommended her party's NYAY scheme for minimum income support as the 'need of the hour', to give the financially weaker sections of the society a basic economic resource to rely on.
"Alternatively, a cash transfer of Rs 7,500 to every Jan Dhan account holder, PM Kisan Yojana account holder, all old-age/widow/differently-abled persons' pension, MNREGA worker's accounts, as a one-time special measure to tide over the 21-day lockdown period should be considered," she wrote.
She suggested that 10 kg of rice or wheat could be distributed to ration cardholders free of cost amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Another suggestion from the Congress president was a sector-wise relief package for businesses which faced a devastating blow by the pandemic. The tone of Sonia Gandhi's letter suggested a more pragmatic and conciliatory approach amid the nationwide battle to contain coronavirus. However, her son Rahul Gandhi, former Congress chief, has been more aggressive in his tweets, using an accusatory tone against the government for underestimating the threat.