Sonia, Rahul move in tandem as Cong tries to corner govt

I’m writing to request you to take advantage of your majority in the Lok Sabha to now get the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in the Lower House

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi continued his attack on the government from US soil, raising the issue of growing intolerance in India on Thursday, even as party president Sonia Gandhi sought to corner the ruling alliance over the women’s reservation bill.

Sonia’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday seeking the passage of the contentious bill—which hasn’t seen the light of the day due to demands for sub-quota for SCs/ STs, OBCs and minorities—is seen as intended to pre-empt any attempt by the National Democratic Alliance to claim credit for the move. It could, however, also ensnare the BJP into a factious debate at a time when the party is aggressively wooing other backward classes and Dalits.

“I am writing to request you to take advantage of your majority

The divisive politics is ruining India’s reputation abroad and NRIs in the tradition of the great NRIs before them, should stand up to those dividing India now

in the Lok Sabha to now get the Women’s Reservation Bill passed in the Lower House as well,” the Congress president wrote to PM Modi, promising him her party’s support for the move.

Hours later, in the early hours of Thursday (IST), Rahul Gandhi made a veiled attack on the NDA government, saying India’s reputation as a country of peace and harmony is in danger abroad.

“The divisive politics is ruining India’s reputation abroad and NRIs in the tradition of the great NRIs before them, should stand up to those dividing India now,” the Congress leader said in New York.

CONTINUED ON P 7