BY A GT REPORTER
MARGAO: Urging the Goan voters to shun the BJP, the AICC president Sonia Gandhi yesterday promised to accord ‘Special Status’ to the state and save the ‘vulnerable section of society’ affected by the CRZ notification.
Addressing a massive rally outside Fatorda stadium yesterday, Sonia took a dig at the BJP, accusing the opposition party of spreading hatred among different faiths, citing examples of the incidents that took place in Orissa, Gujarat and Karnataka.
“Not only the minorities but everyone lives in fear. Terrorism thrives and affects every single person in the country. Can such a party fight terrorism? Can we even think of such a government at the center?”
She further sought the votes for Congress so as to provide a strong, stable government that protects and promotes secular values of communal harmony.
Stating that only the Congress party was sensitive to regional sentiments, Sonia boasted of the various achievements of the Congress party such as the reservations for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SCs/STs), the construction of dams, power stations, creation of public sector, LIC, nationalization of banks, the green revolution, etc.
In her brief address in English, Sonia recalled the commitment of the Congress party to the state she claimed Goa was being given the highest priority.
She further referred to the vociferous public protests over the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that she termed as ‘responsible activism’ wherein the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had obeyed the wishes of the people despite the pressures from certain influential sectors. And also expressed her satisfaction that the people of the state would be fully involved through the institution of the Gram panchayats in preparing the Regional Plan 2021.
To a thunderous applause, Sonia assured protection to homes and livelihood of those residing in the coastal belt following a request made to her earlier by Kamat.
She also spoke of the various policies, schemes and programmes of the UPA government like the Mid-day meal scheme, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence legislation that was passed under the
leadership of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who according to her had provided a transparent responsive government that provided employment.
Besides, also allocating unprecedented funds for the development of the infrastructure in the state such as schools for example that have been upgraded. So also the primary health centers (PHC).
Reminding that the Right to Information (RTI) Act that sought to empower the people was also introduced by the Congress government, the UPA leader further vowed to protect the environment for the future generation from climatic change.
Advani in her firing range
Sonia Gandhi also launched a frontal attack on the BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani for time and again calling Dr Manmohan Singh a weak prime minister.
Sonia reminded the people that terrorism had commenced during Advani’s tenure as the then home minister when India was attacked in Kargil, blackmailed at Kandahar and terrorists stormed the parliament.
She said, “are we not all aware of how things work in the BJP? Can the ex-home minister Advaniji today take any steps, any action without touching the feet of the RSS leaders? Can he do so? Absolutely not. They cannot do a thing, move an inch, say a word, take any action without the blessings and the clearance of the RSS.”
She termed the accusation made against the PM as ‘totally false’ and further recalled the then BJP president Advani’s visit to Pakistan wherein he had called the founder of that nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah as ‘secular’ but was made to relinquish his post on his return back to the country. “What happened to the strong man Advaniji? The RSS made him resign, he had to go into vanvas and only after he clarified he was given the opportunity to head the BJP. So I ask you, you tell me who is a strong leader? Is Advaniji, a strong leader or is our PM a strong leader?”
