Letter to Congress Workers

Dear friends,

Our Party’s Shimla resolve to strive for a secular alternative to the BJP-dominated NDA has already brought some encouraging response. Almost all the non-BJP political parties met twice before the monsoon session of Parliament to work out floor coordination. Exchanges and discussions in these meetings were very cordial and constructive. This was reflected in the two-day debate on the No-Confidence Motion I had tabled in the Lok Sabha on behalf of our party. The NDA government was rattled by the Motion, its timing and contents. Our party had put the BJP-led coalition government in the dock on nine major issues. We thoroughly exposed the government and confronted it with its untenable acts of omission and commission. The motion was born out of a deep sense of responsibility towards the people of India. It was born out of a real concern for the direction that our country is taking. The country is today facing a danger to the ideals of our founding fathers. Stunned and unnerved, the ruling coalition gasped for answers and evaded replies.

The Prime Minister’s reply lacked substance and glossed over the charges against his government. That any way, was not unexpected. An important feature of the debate was the unity of thought among the secular parties.

True to our commitment to form a secular front, we have extended support to Samajwadi Party in forming
a secular government in U.P. Our objective is to promote and strengthen secular forces to challenge and defeat fundamentalist and obscurantist forces in the country. It is in line with this principle that we
have decided to extend outside support to the coalition government of Samajwadi Party in U.P.

I am happy to note that training camps and public rallies are being held throughout the country by our party and are being well attended. This shows growing disenchantment with the BJP. People are looking to the Congress with hope and aspirations. We must strive to live upto their expectations and to fulfill our commitment to them. The Assembly elections to be held in five states offer both a challenge and an opportunity. I am sure you all will work hard to ensure Congress victory.