Speech

Sonia Gandhi Charges BJP with Playing Divisive Politics

Excerpts of Smt. Sonia Gandhi's speech at Sriganganagar in Rajasthan on 16 September, 2003

SRIGANGANAGAR: Getting into campaign mode, the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, began a two-day journey through five Rajasthan districts on 16 September with a tirade against BJP-led NDA govt. at the Centre.

"Sometimes they extend support to the agitation by the VHP and the RSS while sometimes they claim they are bound by the NDA agenda. How can one trust people who keep changing their stand," she posed while speaking at a massive rally organized by the party here.

Smt. Gandhi started her journey from neighbouring Hanumangarh district earlier in the day, meeting villagers and Congressmen along the route. Whenever elections approach, Sangh outfits try to divide society along religious lines, she said, blaming BJP leaders of peddling the politics of destruction (`Vinash ki Rajniti').

Accusing the NDA of lacking in commitment or honesty to run the government, she reminded the people that instead of providing the promised clean and efficient administration, employment to ten million youth and strengthening of national security, the Atal Behari Vajpayee government had broken the farmer's back and spread all-round despair because of its policies.

Corruption had crossed all limits, the country's security position and India's voice on the world stage had weakened while terrorist incidents were increasing. Smt. Gandhi said, alleging that there was disillusionment among farmers, workers, dalits, youth and other sections of the society due to the NDA's faulty policies.

"Women are the worst sufferers," she added. "Industries and factories are being closed down or are being sold off cheaply into private hands. Smt. Gandhi said half a million soldiers had been deployed on the border for more than a year following the attack on Parliament, yet the government could not get even one of its demands accepted by Pakistan.

Citing the Congress in contrast, she said it believed in "Seva Bhav" (service) and in making everyone a partner in the development process. The Congress had always opposed the Sangh Parivar's divisive agenda and worked for spreading social harmony. "We shall not allow the country's unity to be damaged."

The Congress had brought the no-confidence motion against the NDA Government because it could not silently watch as the ideals of the freedom struggle were trampled upon. The Congress will not allow any diversions from the path of progress and development, she said.

BJP Promises, Congress Performs : Sonia Gandhi ALWAR: The Congress president, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, on 6 September claimed a unique identity for her party in the country and said unlike the BJP and others, the Congress has stood for all sections of society. The Congress Governments in the States have fulfilled the promises they made to the people and always tried to be with them in the hour of need, she said. Smt. Gandhi said political parties should keep the promises they made and show responsibility. If they do not, they are "cheating the public", she asserted. Addressing a rally at this east Rajasthan town, Smt. Gandhi also reflected on the legacy of the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi as the occasion marked the unveiling of his statue at the Moti Doongri Circle here. "If Rajivji had lived longer, the country's face would have been different now. He was unlike most of the political leaders in the country today. His unique trait was his concern for the poor and the needy," she said, recollecting Rajiv Gandhi's various visits to the drought affected areas of Rajasthan in the past. Smt. Sonia Gandhi also recalled her late husband's contribution to the panchayati raj system and special provisions he had made for the Dalits, Adivasis and women in those bodies. "Due to Rajivji's efforts 10 lakh women functionaries are there in the panchayats now. Their voices are heard," she noted. "The BJP promised many things including the removal of `bhook', `bhay' and `bhrastachar'. They promised generation of one lakh more jobs and the ushering in of `suraj' in the country. Nothing of the sort happened. Instead, they divided the people who once lived in harmony. They made people fight among themselves and are still trying to drive a wedge in society," Smt. Gandhi charged, addressing the rally at the Dusshera grounds. The Congress president was on her second visit to Rajasthan in a week's time. The AICC general secretaries, Smt. Ambika Soni, Shri Nawal Kishore Sharma, the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Shri Ashok Gehlot and the PCC president, Dr. Girija Vyas were present at the rally alongwith the senior functionaries of the party, MLAs and the Ministers. Smt. Gandhi charged the BJP with trying to alter history by removing the names of those who had contributed greatly to the freedom movement from the history books. Their activities lead to the weakening of the country's voice among the league of other nations and made farmers and farm labourers suffer. It was under these circumstances that she had moved a no-confidence motion in Parliament. "In a democracy the people and the Opposition parties have a right to seek explanations from the Government. Yet they questioned the very act of moving a motion against them," Smt. Gandhi noted. Shri Gehlot termed the achievements the country made in the recent past in communication as the legacy of Rajiv Gandhi's vision.