Sonia: Power-thirsty can’t understand ideals of truth Leading a silent march, Priyanka hits out at BJP
NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said those thirsty for power who consider themselves supreme and indulge in the politics of falsehood c a nnot underst a nd Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of truth, self rule and selfless service.
In what appeared to be a swipe at the present BJP leadership, Sonia Gandhi told party workers and leaders at Rajghat that the Mahatma’s soul would be pained by what has been happening in India in the last few years.
On the Mahatma’s 150th birth anniversary, Sonia Gandhi also participated in the oath that Congress workers took to achieve the India of his dreams by keeping faith in constitutional values.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a march of party workers from the Delhi Congress office at the Deendayal Upadhyaya Marg to Rajghat to mark the occasion.
“How can those who pursue the politics of falsehood understand that Gandhiji was the worshipper of truth? How can those who can do anything for power understand that Gandhiji was a worshipper of non-violence? How can those thirsty for power understand the meaning of Gandhiji’s Swaraj? Those who claim to be supreme at the first opportunity, how can they understand the value of selfless service of Gandhiji?” Sonia Gandhi asked while attacking those in power.
Addressing the gathering in Hindi, she said only the Congress has followed the path of Gandhi and has provided jobs, education and facilities to farmers, accomplishments which are unparalleled, no matter what others might claim.
Terming it a historic, pious and auspicious day, the Congress chief described Gandhi as a “great personality” who inspired not only India but the entire world to adopt the path of non violence and ‘satyagraha’. She said all are proud that India has attained its present status followi ng t he path s hown by t he Mahatma, noting that it is easy to cite Gandhi’s name but difficult to follow the path shown by him.
“Despite all this, if India has not been distracted it is because its foundation is laid on the values of Gandhiji. India and Gandhiji are synonymous with each other. It is a different thing that some people are adamant on reversing this. They want the RSS and not Gandhiji to become the symbol of India.” LUCKNOW: Taking a swipe at the BJP, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday said it should first pursue the path of truth shown by Mahatma Gandhi and then talk about him.
She made the remarks before participating in a silent march organised here by the Congress on 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
“It was the order of Gandhiji to pursue the path of truth. First, the BJP should pursue the path of truth and then talk about Gandhiji,” the Congress leader said.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of the march, she said, “Atrocities are being committed on women and when they raise their voice to fight against them, they are being crushed. We will definitely struggle against it.” The silent march which started from Shaheed Smarak here will culminate at the GPO park, where Congress leaders will pay floral tributes to the father of the nation.
The Congress, along with other opposition parties, have boycotted the 36-hour special session organised by the Uttar Pradesh government on the occasion. Later, Priyanka Gandhi is also scheduled to interact with party workers and leaders at the UPCC headquarters here.