From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday stressed that the Congress revival is not just a matter of importance for the party, but also essential for democracy itself and indeed for the society as well.
Addressing a joint meeting of the party MPs from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in Parliament’s Central Hall, she also lambasted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its leaders pursuing the divisive and polarizing agenda that has now become a regular feature of the political discourse in state after state.
“History–not just ancient but also contemporary–is mischievously distorted and facts are maliciously invented to add fuel to this agenda. It is for us all to stand up and confront these forces of hate and prejudice and not let them damage the bonds of amity and harmony that sustained and enriched our diverse society for centuries,” Sonia said.
She deprecated the ruling establishment targeting the opposition, its leaders and workers, with the full might of the state machinery. “Maximum governance to those in power clearly means spreading maximum fear and intimidatioon. Such blatant threats and tactics will not frighten or silence us, nor will wwe get cowed down.
Sonia also referred to shocking and painful recent election results. She said she has received many suggestions on strengthening the organisation and she is working on them. Holding a Shivir (introspection session) is also very necessary where a large number of party representatives will be heard on how to put forward a clear roadmap on the urgent steps on how best to meet the challenges.
She also referred to the two landmark initiatives of the Congress-led UPA Government — the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA and National Food Security Act — that were criticised by no less than a person than Prime Minister Modi but hey turned out to be saviours for crores of people in the last two years. Even though the minister concerned denied it, inordinate delay in wage payments continues to be a serious issue.
“Inspite of repeated attempts, we have been unable to get the Government to agree to a discussion on the situation on our borders, a discussion that could only have deepened the sense of collective resolve,” she said. She happily noted that the value of non-alignment as a foundational principle of the nation’s foreign policy that was criticized so much has now been rediscovered even though it may not be acknowledged as such.
