CP's Visit

SONIA GANDHI PROMISES A NEW BIHAR

Father of Criminalisation of Politics

Criminalisation of politics in Bihar is the topic of main concern today. Politicians are blaming each other for this sad state of affairs. But, in reality such a trend started in 1977 Parliamentary elections when main accused of the famous Baroda Dynamite explosion case, Shri George Fernandes who filed his nomination papers with slogans �George Fernandes Jeetega, Jail ka Phatak Tootega.� He won the election and the case against him was withdrawn by Janata Party Central Government. Before it, there were rare incidences of politicians with criminal backgrounds capturing power. After it, not only politicians of criminal background, but even criminals have started filing their nomination papers and many of them have won elections. Since then, many people of criminal background either, as independent candidate or under the banners of other political parties, started fighting elections, winning elections and even becoming ministers. This trend is still continuing. Its impact can now be seen not only in politics, but on social life too. Murder, rape and kidnapping cases are the result of such trends. To change the situation, it is necessary that all political parties should join hands to weed out this cancer plaguing our society. Unfortunately there is no such initiative in sight. - Ram Naresh Sinha

BHAGALPUR: The Congress president, Smt. Sonia Gandhi promised a `new Bihar' while seeking a mandate for the party. Addressing a mammoth rally in Bhagalpur on 1st February, on the final leg of her two-day tour of the state, Smt. Gandhi said the Congress was worried over Bihar's state of affairs and was concerned over its future.

In a reference to the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said the Congress was aware that Dalits, backward castes, adivasis, weaker sections and women needed protection and economic security. "That is why I have come here," she said.

On the need for development, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said setting up new industries in the state would help reduce unemployment and eradicate poverty, Smt. Gandhi mentioned steps taken by the Centre to provide employment for 100 days in a year to one member of a poverty-stricken family.

Referring to the silk weavers of Bhagalpur, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said steps would be taken to improve their lot. Reiterating that she was not in politics for power or post, Smt. Gandhi said she wanted to be a medium for development.

Attacking the previous government, Smt. Sonia Gandhi said people who had no ideology had infiltrated politics. The BJP was controlled by communal elements, who in the name of religion, damaged the national and social fabric of the country.

Earlier, launching her election campaign at Arrah on January 31, Smt. Gandhi promised the people of Bihar that the next government in the State would be run on the basis of an agreed agenda and would address the pressing issues of the State.

Smt. Gandhi started her campaign at Buxar and followed it up with a public meeting here (Arrah). In the 2000 elections, both constituencies were won by the BJP.

Despite the intermittent drizzle, both her meetings were well-attended. Smt. Gandhi did not speak in favour or against the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and Railway Minister, Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Lok Janashakti Party chief and Union Steel Minister, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan. She only sought votes for her candidates.

Abduction issue

She blamed the deteriorating quality of politics for the abduction of school children. She was emphatic that her party was committed to strengthening of the law and order situation and the uplift of the women, the poor and the weaker sections, besides ensuring employment and power and water supply. She underlined her party's commitment to get rid of the problems of floods and drought plaguing the State.

Smt. Gandhi told her audience that a secular government would be formed in the State only after the ratification of a joint programme as done at the awareness of the problems of the minorities and assured remedial action. She also delved on the threat posed by communal forces, which were apparent during the BJP-led Government's tenure at the Centre.