Ravi defends Sonia

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 3. The Rajya Sabha MP and former KPCC(I) president, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, has come in defence of the party president, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, in the context of the cross- voting in the Rajya Sabha elections and the news report that the party edifice was crumbling.

In a statement here today, Mr. Ravi asserted that Mrs. Gandhi was the undisputed leader of the party. She had assumed the leadership following the trail of defeats the party suffered since 1996 through 1998. The revival of the party began only after she assumed charge as AICC(I) chief.

Mr. Ravi said the party had become weak on account of its new economic policy and the demolition of the Babri Masjid along with the collapse of internal democracy. Nevertheless, Mrs. Gandhi used to take decisions in consultation with the CWC(I). The charge that there was no debate on crucial issues was a propaganda unleashed by vested interests, he said.

Mr. Ravi pointed out that the CWC(I) had approved the Antony committee report recommending a rethink on the economic policy.

He asserted that Mrs. Gandhi had taken strong and clear positions against the globalisation policy being followed by the BJP-led Government and its adverse impact on the poorest among the poor in the country.

Mr. Ravi appears to be the first among the party leaders in the State to reiterate their faith in Mrs. Gandhi in the context of the general impression now gaining ground that her position had become shaky.

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Section  : Regional
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