Sonia targets Modi govt for its ‘ regressive vision’
‘ Lack of accommodative spirit is leading to turmoil in Parliament’
Mumbai, March 9: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi tore into the Narendra Modi government Friday, alleging that the country was being led by a “regressive vision”, and asked if India was really a “giant black hole” before May 2014, and marched to progress only after the BJP came to power at the Centre.
Mrs Gandhi, 71, also alleged the country, society, and its freedom were now all under systematic and sustained threat and that there is “a rewriting of history, falsifying facts and fanning prejudice and bigotry”.
In a deeply introspective speech that was followed by a question and answer session, the UPA chairperson spoke on a wide range of topics, including her children, her own shortcomings and the role of democracy in India, the first time she has opened up since relinquishing the post of party president. Her no- holds- barred attack came a day after her son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP, alleging there is a general atmosphere of “intimidation” in India where a “nasty form of politics” of dividing people was being played to win elections.
During the interactive session at the India Today Conclave, Mrs Gandhi alleged the Modi government’s “lack of accommodative spirit” had led to the present
politics of acrimony in Parliament, that has been rocked by disruptions over this entire week. Mrs Gandhi also said she had chosen Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister in 2004 as she was aware of her limitations and knew that he was a better
Priyanka is preoccupied with her children at the moment. It is up to her, and one never knows the future... — Sonia Gandhi on her daughter’s political role
candidate. “I knew my limitations. I knew Manmohan Singh would be a better Prime Minister than me.” “Public speaking does not come naturally to me, that is why I was called a reader than a leader,” the Congress leader said.
She alleged there was shocking insensitivity to atrocities on dalits and women, and society was being polarised in a bid to win elections. “Our country, our society, our freedom are now all under systematic and sustained threat. There is rewriting of history, falsifying facts and fanning prejudice and bigotry,” she said. “Today we are presented with an alternative and indeed regressive vision.”
“Was India really a giant black hole before May 2014 and started 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,” she said.
Mrs Gandhi also said callous remarks about changing the Constitution were deliberate attempts to subvert the essence of India. “Provocative statements from the ruling establishments are not random or accidental, but a part of a dangerous design. Alternate voices are being silenced. Freedom to think, marry according to one’s wishes is under attack. Religious tensions are being fuelled, vigilante mobs and private armies have been let loose,” she charged.
“Long- standing principles that have stood the country well are being violated. A parliamentary majority is being interpreted as a licence to stifle debate and bulldoze legislation. Political opponents are targeted through the misuse of investigative agencies,” she said.
“The Opposition is not allowed to speak in Parliament. People are angry with the Congress for the disruptions in Parliament. But there are serious reasons for it. The parliamentary rules are not followed. There is no accommodative spirit. The Opposition has a right to speak in Parliament,” she said.
When asked to compare former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with Mr Modi, she said Mr Vajpayee respected parliamentary procedures. “We were bitter opponents and there were disagreements. But we had a positive way of handling situations. We functioned well,” she added. She also said that she does not know Mr Modi as a person.
She said BJP allies like TRS, TDP and Shiv Sena were also coming into the Well of the House to protest over various issues. “‘ Achche Din’ will soon be ‘ India Shining’,” she said, referring to the UPA’s win in 2004 despite the BJP’s 2004 slogan of ‘ India Shining’.
Continuing her attack on the NDA government, she said the judiciary was in turmoil, freedom to differ, eat and marry was under attack and India’s social DNA was being re- engineered. “Does maximum governance mean minimum truth? Does it mean alternative facts take the place of uncomfortable reality? Take jobs for instance.
Everyone knows the employment situation is grim but all of a sudden we are told seven and a half million jobs were created in 2017... This claim was widely debunked. But does it really make a difference? It doesn’t. Because as soon as one myth is demolished, another takes its place,” she said.
Mrs Gandhi also felt the Congress needs to develop a new style of connecting with people at the organisational level. “We also need to look at a way of how we project our programmes and policies,” she added.
Reacting to the criticism about her son Rahul not being in the country during counting of votes in the Northeast, she said he had gone to visit his grandmother in Italy for three days after he had done his rounds of electioneering.
Taking a question on the political role of her daughter Priyanka, Mrs Gandhi said: “Priyanka is preoccupied with her children at the moment. It is up to her, and one never knows the future.”