The Hindu : A battle of ideologies: Sahgal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 09, 2002

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A battle of ideologies: Sahgal

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 8. The Left Front nominee for the presidential elections, Lakshmi Sahgal, has described her coming electoral battle with the noted scientist, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, as one of "ideologies.''

``It's a battle of ideologies. We wish to tell the people where the National Democratic Alliance plans to take the country and where we wish to take it,'' the INA veteran said at the "Meet the Press'' organised by the Press Club here today.

Capt. Sahgal said her candidature was part of the Left's effort ``to infuse hope'' in the minds of the people, the youth in particular (who were a "frustrated lot") and future generations. That she was fighting a battle she could not win did not deter her, as it was no different during her INA days. ``We had no big weapons, but still we went into the battle. Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose) used to say that we may not be successful, but through our effort, we will win the battle.''

Fielding questions with ease, Capt. Sahgal said that Dr. Kalam, NDA nominee, could not claim to be a secularist after what had happened in Gujarat. He had not visited the State though hundreds had been killed. Communalism posed the greatest threat to the nation today, she added.

She had not met Dr. Kalam before or after the NDA nominated him. On why she thought that the ``missile man'' was not suited for the job, Capt. Sahgal said that while anyone could be the President, the choice of Dr. Kalam would send a "wrong signal" at a time when the clamour was for arms reduction.

On the Congress endorsing Dr. Kalam's candidature, Capt. Sahgal said she did not think that the Congress had gained much from it. "It is political opportunism, but I don't think they have gained much politically.''

Would the Left Front now oppose the Congress nominee for Vice-President? "I think most likely we should oppose their candidate for Vice-President.''

However, the CPI (M) central committee member, M. A. Baby, hastened to clarify that the matter would be decided keeping in mind the individual chosen by the Congress.

On her claim that some of the NDA constituents had also offered to support her, Capt. Sahgal said that she did not wish to reveal their names. Parties such as the Janata Dal (Secular), the Manipur People's Party and the Uttar Pradesh Kranti Dal, and individual leaders such as the former Prime Minister, K. Chandra Shekhar, had pledged their support to her.

Capt. Sahgal said that the NDA did not give a second term to the President, K. R. Narayanan, because he had indicated to the Cabinet that some of its decisions were against the spirit of the Constitution.

Asked why the Left took so long to field her, she said "everything has its time.'' And on whether her candidature could be seen as a recognition for women, she replied in the affirmative and claimed that if every woman could vote in a presidential election, she would have got all the votes. What kept her going at this age? "Will power,'' came the reply.

Capt. Sahgal's daughter and former MP, Subhashini Ali, said that her mother had been working for long hours without electricity at her clinic in Kanpur and even while campaigning, people were consulting her.

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A battle of ideologies: Sahgal