Freedom under sustained attack, govt’s vision regressive: Sonia
NEW DELHI: Provocative statements from establishment are not random or accidental. They are part of a dangerous design
SONIA GANDHI, Congress leader
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, alleging that the country was being led by a “regressive vision” and wondered if India was really a “giant black hole” till the BJP came to power at the Centre in May 2014.
Addressing the India Today conclave in Mumbai, she claimed that freedom of the people was “under systematic and sustained assault” as provocative statements from the ruling side were neither random nor accidental but “part of a dangerous” design.
“There is rewriting of history, falsifying facts and fanning prejudice and bigotry,” said the 71-year-old Gandhi who demitted the Congress president’s office on December 16 last year after remaining at the helm for more than 19 years.
The speech was followed by a question and answer session during which the Congress parliamentary party (CPP) chairperson spoke on a wide range of topics, including her husband and children, her own shortcomings and other issues confronting the country and the party.
“Our country, our society, our freedom are now all under systematic and sustained threat… Today we are presented with an alternative and indeed regressive vision,” she said.
“Was India really a giant black hole before May 2014 and start marching to progress only four years ago? Is this not an insult to the intelligence of our people? It is not a matter of taking credit but acknowledging India’s strength.”
The promise of “achhe din” will work against the BJP in the same manner as ‘India Shining’ campaign did against then Vajpayee government in the 2004 general elections, she said.
“The main issue with the BJP is that they made huge fantastic promises. But what is being implemented? They sold such a positive picture – we will give jobs, give you ₹15 lakh. There is great disappointment. I am confident the BJP’s ‘achhe din’ will actually turn into ‘India Shining’ – which brought us to power (in 2004),” she said.
Gandhi’s attack came a day after her son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged there is a general atmosphere of “intimidation” in India where “nasty form of politics” of dividing people was being played to win the elections.
The former Congress chief said the Modi government lacked “accommodative spirit” and that has led to the ongoing stalemate in Parliament.
During the interactive session, Gandhi candidly spoke about the Congress party and her decision to name economist Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister in 2004.
“Why not? In future, there may well be,” she said when asked if there was a chance of a leader from outside the Gandhi family heading the Congress.