NDA Govt. fails on various fronts: Sonia

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 11. The AICC president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, on Friday lashed out at the National Democratic Alliance for alleged contradictory stance of various ruling allies and the duality of the BJP which, according to her, had worsened the situation in every front.

Unpardonable atrocities on minorities, allowing Government employees in Gujarat to join RSS ranks, raising PDS prices and allowing inflation to grow, autonomous resolution by the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the killing of innocent people by terrorists reflected the chaotic governance that only the NDA was capable of giving to this country, she said.

Ms. Sonia Gandhi was addressing a convention of NSUI district presidents at its valedictory function here.

The talks with the Hizbul Mujahideen only fuelled the killing of innocent persons in the Kashmir Valley, she added.

She said the ruling NDA at the Centre had been a bundle of contradictions unlike the Congress(I), which had taken a constructive view on all issues. Expressing concern over the ``saffronisation'' of education, distortion of history and manipulation of social sciences ``which are being pursued with a deliberate policy,'' she said if the youth of the nation was not alert to such threats to secular ethos, the country could not be saved.

There were several issues which the Government failed to tackle properly and its unconcerned attitude was reflected in a simple example of foodgrain wastage. While millions of tonnes of foodgrains were allowed to go waste every year, there was no way that mid-day meal scheme intended to benefit the poor could take off properly. Cricket match-fixing, which had disappointed every one, must be probed thoroughly, she said.

There was a deliberate attempt to undermine the morale of Congress(I) workers and leaders by spreading canards that its leadership was not democratic, she said. The Congress(I) was the only party which gave a chance to people to voice their opinion at every forum which was always construed - again deliberately - as dissension.

The party never flinched from doing introspection and its open minded democratic outlook was only to allow every section and individual to be heard unlike in other parties, she added. Ms. Sonia Gandhi urged the youth, which was always fired by idealism, to adopt the Congress(I)'s ideals that were in the best interest of the nation.

In a presentation on her party's virtues, she said the Congress(I) was fired by youthful idealism. Leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad became the party president at the age of 35. It was Rajiv Gandhi who gave the youth a chance to vote by lowering voting age to 18 and the party had a constructive and level- playing field for every sincere worker.

One must understand the basic principles and ethos of the party which had made great sacrifices for the independence of the country and later for developing a strong India, she said.

Ms. Sonia Gandhi said the youth remained loyal to their first choice always as was proved by several studies and while voting the first time they must not commit the mistake by voting for the wrong party. Her party knew that this group was electorally significant, hence would give all opportunities to them, she said. The CLP leader, Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, threw in a surprise by accusing the Congress(I) leadership of not recognising the contribution of the youth. They must be given due share in party positions and party ticket. It was high time the party recognised this need, he said.

Earlier, Ms. Sonia Gandhi released the NSUI diary and gave away mementos to some NSUI district presidents.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Next     : CM's reply on power tariff hike deferred