Cover Story

Sonia Gandhi Declines PM Post

Dr. Manmohan Singh Sworn In

`Congress is My Life, All of You My Family' "When I spoke to the Congress Parliamentary Party yesterday, I expected that there would be some disappointment and some sadness. But I have been totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion from nearly every corner of our country. And I have been humbled by the love and affection that has been so spontaneously expressed. To all of you who are upset or disappointed, I have this to say: I am not going anywhere, I am still very much in politics. I will continue as Congress president and chairperson, Congress party in Parliament for as long as you want me to. I am one of you. And nothing will ever change that. I entered politics out of a sense of duty and commitment. My family has always treated politics as part of a crusade to create a better India. Indiraji and Rajivji made the supreme sacrifice for our nation. Their examples inspired us all and speaking for myself, I know that I derive my strength from their courage. No matter how much adversity I have faced, it is nothing compared to what they had to go through. Today, it is their strength and their inspiration that guide me and the Congress party. I understand your disappointment. But I appeal to you to understand the depth of my sentiment when I say that I cannot reverse my decision. We live in times when politics is about power. Let us show the world that for the Congress party, politics is about values and integrity. As I said, I am overwhelmed by your love. But now, we must get on with the serious business of undoing the damage done by the last government and of working to create the India of our dreams. I urge you to support the Congress Prime Minister. And I request you to give your full support to the new Cabinet. The Congress party is overflowing with talent. Let us give India the government it deserves. Speaking for myself, I will always be here, working for the party. The Congress is my life. All of you are my family. Let us now build the 21st century India that was Rajivji's vision." (The text of the statement by the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, at the Congress Parliamentary Party on May 19.)

NEW DELHI: Dr. Manmohan Singh was sworn in as the 14^th Prime Minister of India on 22 May, 2004 after the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, declined the post following her "inner voice". At the reconvened meeting of the CPP, Smt. Gandhi said "the post of Prime Minister is not my aim. I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position that I am today, I would follow my own inner voice. Today that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post."

The CPP on 19 May elected Dr. Manmohan Singh as the leader. Smt. Gandhi will remain Congress President and CPP chairperson. Later, the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, invited Dr. Manmohan Singh to form the next government.

Dr. Singh was given the letter of appointment when, accompanied by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, he called on the President to hand over the letters of support from the allies and supporting parties of the Congress. After meeting the President, Dr. Singh and Smt. Gandhi addressed the media. Dr. Singh said that he had been invited by the President to form the next govt. Smt. Gandhi, who looked relaxed, relieved and happy, said that "I think the country will be safe in his hands." Dr. Singh said he felt `humble' and noted that `the nation had given the mandate to Smt. Gandhi."

Smt. Gandhi was elected the leader of the CPP on 14 May. She, however, decided to decline the post of Prime Minister. Congress leaders and workers mounted pressure on her to reverse her decision. She remained steadfast on her decision and at the reconvened CPP meeting she assured the CPP members and the party that she will continue to be the party president and chairperson of the CPP. "I am one of you and nothing will ever change that."

Soon after the results were declared on May 13, the Congress Working Committee was called late in the evening. After the deliberations Smt. Sonia Gandhi addressed the media and said that the people have voted for a change by rejecting BJP-led NDA government at the hustings. "Our election campaign was mainly focussed on moral and party's ideology," she added. "On behalf of the Congress party, I express my gratitude to the electorates for reposing faith in our party as well as in the like-minded parties," Smt. Gandhi said.

The Congress president said that in the next few days the process of formation of government would begin and assured the nation of installing a stable and secure government at the Centre. In reply to a question, she said the Congress party had supported Vajpayee's initiatives and recalled that the Congress was always in favour of holding cordial talks with Pakistan. "We are happy that after much reluctance the NDA-led government ultimately began talks with the neighbouring country."

On 15 May, Smt. Sonia Gandhi was unanimously elected the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) and promised `a strong and stable government, dedicated to promoting social harmony and peace."

For most of the day, Smt. Gandhi was engrossed in a series of meetings with the leaders of allies and potential allies. The Congress had received by 15 May evening "letter of support" from most of its pre-poll allies, including Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, Shri Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's People's Democratic Party, Shri Shibu Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Telengana Rashtra Samiti. Smt. Gandhi received letter of support from CPI (M), the CPI, the NCP, the DMK, the PMK, the MDMK and the RPI (A). On 16 May the Samajwadi Party and Shri Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal sent their letters of support directly to the President of India.

The same day (16 May), Smt. Gandhi was unanimously elected the alliance's prime ministerial candidate at a meeting of the allies and other supporting parties at the residence of the Congress president.

Among those present at the meeting were Shri M. Karunanidhi (DMK), Shri Jyoti Basu and Shri Harkishan Singh Surjeet (CPI-M), Shri A.B. Bardhan (CPI), Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav (RJD), Shri Sharad Pawar (NCP), Shri Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP), Smt. Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), Shri Shibu Soren (JMM), Shri K. Chandrashekar Rao (Telengana Rashtra Samiti), Shri E. Ahamad (Indian Union Muslim League), Shri Vaiko (Marumalarchi DMK), Shri S. Ramadoss (PMK), Shri Assauddin Owaisi (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen), Shri Amar Singh (SP), Shri Debabrata Biswas (All India Forward Bloc), Shri K. Francis George (Kerala Congress _ Joseph), Shri Ramdas Athawale (Republican Party _ A) and Shri R.S. Gavai (RPI).

Smt. Sonia Gandhi's name was proposed by Shri M. Karunanidhi and seconded by Shri Sharad Pawar, Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav and others. Later, Smt. Gandhi hosted a dinner to the leaders of the allies and the supporting parties. Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh was also present.

A committee of alliance partners was set up under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh to draft a Common Minimum Programme.

- Rattan Francis

 

MY FIGHT IS FOR PRINCIPLES : SONIA GANDHI

Smt. Sonia Gandhi, addressed the CPP meeting on 18th May: Friends, Throughout these past six years that I have been in politics, one thing has been clear to me. And that is, as I have often stated, that the post of prime minister is not my aim. I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position that I am in today, I would follow my own inner voice. Today, that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post. You have unanimously elected me your leader; in doing so, you have reposed your faith in me. It is this faith that has placed me under tremendous pressure to reconsider my decision. Yet, I must abide by the principles which have guided me all along. Power for itself has never attracted me, nor has position been my goal. My aim has always been to defend the secular foundation of our nation and the poor of the country _ the creed sacred to Indiraji and Rajivji. We have moved forward a significant step towards this goal. We have waged a successful battle. But we have not won the war. That is a long and arduous struggle, and I will continue it with full determination. I request you to accept my decision and to recognize that I will not reverse it. Our foremost responsibility at this critical time is to provide India with a secular government that is strong and stable. Friends, you have given me your generous support; you have struggled against all odds with me. As one of you and as president of the Congress party, I pledge myself to work with you and for the country. My resolve will in fact be all the more firm, to fight for our principles, for our vision, and for our ideals."