‘Rajiv did not use massive poll mandate to create fear’
BJP is against corruption and the case against Chidambaram is in conformity with the principle.
— Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP state president
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in her first speech after becoming the party chief, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Central government, saying that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had a massive poll mandate in 1984 but he did not use it to create an atmosphere of fear, threaten and scare people or destroy institutions.
An emotional Mrs Gandhi also added that Rajiv accomplished so much in so little time.
“Rajiv Gandhi got a massive mandate in 1984, but did not use it to create atmosphere of fear or to threaten people,” she said.
Addressing party functionaries on the 75th birth anniversary celebrations of Rajiv Gandhi, Mrs Gandhi also said the challenges facing the Congress now are formidable, but it must continue with its ideological struggle against forces of divisiveness.
In a bid to boost the morale of the party workers, Mrs Gandhi said that electoral ups and downs are inevitable for any political party.
“Challenges facing the party are formidable but it must continue its ideological struggle against .”
She exhorted Congressmen to reaffirm their resolve to uphold the values that inspired Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. She asserted that the work done by the former Prime Minister is something that cannot be done merely with slogans and pride rather it needs hard work and strong will. Emphasizing on the unity of the country, she stated, “Rajiv Ji always kept the national interest in mind and made several agreements in Assam, Tripura, Mizoram.” She also touched upon the accomplishments of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, which included the new education policy and telecom revolution in the country.
On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function organised by Rajiv Gandhi Youth Foundation on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary had said “unpleasant trends” of growing intolerance, communal polarisation and incidents of violent crimes propelled by hatred of certain groups will damage our polity.