Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said that her party was ready and prepared for the lok Sabha polls and raised the issue of secularism to question the BJP’s credential. She also made it clear that decision not to name Rahul Gandhi as the Congress’ prime ministerial nominee was final.
“The Congress has faced many difficult times in the past, much tougher than today. But we have never lost heart. We have repeatedly demonstrated our resilience by remaining committed to our vision, to our
values and the beliefs that have sustained us,” Sonia said in her inaugural speech at the AICC session.
Without naming the BJP, Gandhi said that the electoral contest will witness a “sharpening combat” between competing ideologies, between competing interpretations of the past and between clashing visions of future.
Amidst the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Cabinet colleagues who have been haunted by charges of corruption, Gandhi appealed political parties to rise above political considerations to ensure passage of anti-corruption measures pending in Parliament.
Gandhi said despite false allegations levelled by the Opposition, the UPA Government stood ground and remained firm in taking decisions which were pro-people.
Detailing the work done by the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, Gandhi asked whether any other Government had done so much in the past. Hailing Manmohan Singh, she said the Prime Minister has led the coalition for the past 10 years with dignity despite all difficulties and obstructions as well as “irresponsible attitude” of the Opposition and remained firm on his objectives.
At the outset, Gandhi said, “We meet today to send a clear signal that the Congress is ready and prepared for the battle ahead.” Noting that the AICC is meeting at a time when the party is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi said it was he who had said soon after Independence that confronting danger and facing adversity is the Congress way.
“That message should resonate more loudly now than ever before”.
On the issue of disparities, she said that while growth is essential and must be sustained, it alone cannot address the problems arising out of continuing disparities.
“Tackling these is not just a matter of social justice but more importantly an existential necessity and a moral imperative,” she said. “If the basic needs of large sections of society are not met in tangible measure, the fabric of society will be stretched and torn,” she warned.
The CWC decision not to anoint Rahul as party’s prime ministerial candidate did not deter party workers from voicing their clamour but Sonia put an end to any debate asserting that the decision taken last night was final. “A decision has been taken in the CWC and that decision is final,” she said.