The Hindu : We will fight BJP's misrule: Sonia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 22, 2002

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National

We will fight BJP's misrule: Sonia

By W. Chandrakanth

The AICC chief, Sonia Gandhi, in a lambadi dress, with a tribal woman at a public meeting in Warangal on Saturday. — Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

Warangal Dec. 21. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday called upon the people to stand behind the party, which would "henceforth, uncompromisingly fight against the misrule of the BJP and its allies in every corner of the country".

Addressing her first-ever public rally after the Gujarat elections, Ms. Gandhi came down heavily on the "divisive and fragmentary" policies of the ruling alliance. "They are either serving their own interests or being selective in developing the nation as a whole".

A great civilisation like India known for peaceful coexistence and brotherhood was today hanging its head in shame in front of the international community due to the divisive tendencies, Ms. Gandhi said, assuring the people that her party would knit back the harmony without any compromise.

"Do they represent India as a whole or even Indians as a whole?" she asked, taking a dig at the attempts of the `Hindutva' forces to segregate Muslims and advised them (the BJP, its frontal organisations and its allies) not to work for a few but keep in view the country's larger interests.

"Harmony (communal) and peace are endangered under their rule, whereas these two aspects are non-negotiables for me," Ms. Gandhi said. No Government or party could trample upon the right to life, she said and added that the party would not sit and watch the "attempts" of anyone to divide people.

The Centre, she alleged was responsible for hundreds of suicides of farmers and was "abetting" crimes against the Dalits. The latter were being killed in States such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Recalling the progress made under the Congress rule since Independence, she said "every big undertaking and irrigation project here was a contribution of the Congress. But, now instead of at least preserving them, efforts are on to sell away the factories. Irrigation needs are neglected leading to crisis everywhere".

On the Telugu Desam Party's rule in Andhra Pradesh, she said the less said the better. "Where have those crores of rupees gone? They got money from various agencies and where is the actual development?

"Apart from liquidating the assets created by the Congress, what have you both — the TDP and the BJP — given to the people? How many jobs have you given?"

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