By IANS,
New Delhi : Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), sat through more than half of the 10-hour debate Monday on a trust motion in parliament that will decide the government’s fate.
Elegantly dressed in a cream-coloured sari with a purple border, Gandhi repeatedly applauded speakers from the Congress as they defended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government.
She repeatedly thumped her desk when Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma referred to her late husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to kick-starting the IT and telecom revolutions in the country.
Before the session began at 11 a.m., Gandhi was seen directing Congress ministers and MPs on where to sit on the treasury benches. She remained in the Lok Sabha till about 6 p.m.
The Congress president’s son — and party general secretary — Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to speak on the trust motion Tuesday.