Congress leaders in Kerala unanimous in support of Sonia
D Josein Kochi
Cutting across faction affiliations, Congress leaders in Kerala urged Sonia Gandhito lead the party and the nation into the 21st century.
Addressing a crowd of between 70,000 and 80,000 at the Marine Drive grounds, Kochi, Sonia said she had no doubt that only the Congress could provide a stable and strong government and that her late husband had laid a strong foundation for it. What was needed today was the fulfilment of tasks he left unfinished, she said in a speech that she was as good at drawing crowds as her late husband. Better, according to M U Das, a regular participant at election meetings in the city.
Her 15-minute speech, which was translated into Malayalam by A C Jose, member of Parliament from Idukki, did not dwell on her personal sorrow as in her other election meetings.
Sonia Gandhi herself began in Malayalam, with the customary "Sahodarnmare Sahodarikale (Brothers and sisters)," made a frontal attack on communalism, but named no political party in particular. She also claimed that much damage was being done to the country by rulers with narrow views and selfish ends.
"My husband had devoted his life for preparing the nation to the 21st century. His voice was still now but his message is vibrant," she said, adding that her husband had provided for the involvement of women in the Panchayati Raj proposed by him. Women ought to be given an equal role in all areas. The bill providing for 33 per cent reservation for women also needed to be revived, Sonia said.
She claimed the youth today was not oriented the way Rajiv Gandhi had hoped. He wanted to lay a strong scientific foundation for the country by motivating the youth and making them part of the growth process. Unfortunately, this was not happening, she said.
She said all these steps she had outlined were possible only if there is a strong and stable government leading the nation. The Congress, she said, had many weaknesses, but it was the only party that had the experience and potential to provide a stable government.
She made her final pitch for the Congress, saying that only by voting for it could the voter realise the vision of Rajiv and fulfill the ideas and ideals for which he laid down his life. Sonia Gandhi ended her speech, offering greetings to the Muslims on the occasion of Ramzan.
Sonia conspicuously avoided any reference to the Christian community, despite it having a large representation in Kerala. In fact, many members of the clergy were present to catch a glimpse of her.
She avoided all controversial issues, and eschewed an attack on the Communists who currently rule the state, though some of the other Congress leaders did.
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