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An Exemplary Gesture of Smt. Sonia Gandhi

Stepping into a New Era The word IMPOSSIBLE has a latent message, i.e. I'm possible and the incomparable Smt. Sonia Gandhi has proved it. Rarely in the history of mankind does a mortal arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in the heart and mind the paradox of storm unspeakable, but perfect, and here across centuries come reports of such mortals supposed to have this contrast and the amazing Sonia Gandhi is a close approach to, if not a perfect realization, to this character. Soniaji has ushered in the return of morality and defanged the divisive and inflammatory issue of "foreign origin" through renunciation and placing a fine man with excellent track record in the Prime Ministerial chair. Ernest Hemingway once said, "In life it does not matter where you come from, all that matters is where you go." Morality is still the greatest strategy in politics and public life. The Indian soil has always upheld the Rishi over the Raja. Manmohan Singh has been the right choice to head the government while Sonia Gandhi capably holds the forte of a party that has a century plus legacy. At this stage any Indian can hope for a "better tomorrow". At the other end, the opposition has been the victim of their Frankenstine slogans "India Shining" and "Feel Good Factor". The entire political arithmetic went wrong for them. We all Indians should thank Soniaji for getting the first boulder moving down the mountainside resulting in this landslide against an immoral, corrupt and incapable government. Sonia Gandhi showed how a successful turnaround is engineered. The Indian voters are today much more conscious, mature and decisive and it has been transparently reflected in the just-concluded elections followed by the unprecedented results. (The author is a Secretary, AICC, Editor, Congress Sandesh and a former Union Minister)

Every sensible Indian has hailed the decision of the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi to renounce the office of Prime Minister and to pave the way for Dr. Manmohan Singh, an economist of international repute. Smt. Sonia Gandhi, by not taking up the office of the Prime Minister even though unanimously elected by the Congress Parliamentary Party, made a shining example of supreme sacrifice which has no parallel in the history of parliamentary democracy.

Smt. Gandhi has proved that she is not after power. Even though the people of the country gave the Congress Party an unmistakable verdict under her leadership, she voluntarily chose not to take up the office of the Prime Minister heeding her `inner voice'. For her the welfare of the country was supreme. It was precisely for this reason she chose Dr. Manmohan Singh, a man known as much for his economic acumen as for his integrity and honesty.

Our country has been a witness to dramatic events. Congress Party, under the inspiring leadership of its President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi brought about one of the biggest turn around in its electoral history. BJP has been decisively beaten by the people who fully endorsed the secular agenda of the Congress and its coalition partners. Nobody had any doubt about who would be the new Prime Minister, Congress Party workers, coalition parties and the people of the country were looking forward to Soniaji taking over the most prestigious office and lead the country to achieve socio-economic justice and prosperity.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi's sole aim was to fight and oust communal forces, which were dividing the country and destroying its secular fabric. We, as Congressmen, can hold our head high with pride and should be inspired by her and emulate her in performing our duties in a spirit of true service and trustworthiness and place the country and the people before itself.

(The author is a CWC member and a former Member of Parliament)