The Hindu : Change Gujarat's fate, Sonia appeals to voters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 09, 2002

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Change Gujarat's fate, Sonia appeals to voters

By Javed M. Ansari

The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, with the Gujarat party president, Shankersinh Waghela, at an election rally at Mehsana in North Gujarat on Sunday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

RAJKOT DEC. 8. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, wrapped up her Gujarat campaign here today with an appeal to the people to vote out the BJP Government to put an end to the "years of misrule".

"This is a vote for the future of Gujarat and for the coming generations; go out and vote fearlessly and change your taqdeer ( fate)," she said.

The last lap of Ms. Gandhi's campaign spread over three days was Rajkot-II, the constituency currently represented by the BJP caretaker Chief Minister, Narendra Modi.

And the euphoric reaction was just the grand finale that her party men were hoping for.

She lambasted the State BJP Government for its numerous failures — "disorder, chaos, economic stagnation corruption and divisiveness" — and promised a better and brighter future if the Congress was voted to power.

Addressing a mammoth gathering at Shastri Maidan in Rajkot, Ms. Gandhi said it was up to the people to decide their future.

"Your vote will have an impact for years to come; it can help change the future of the State."

A recurring feature of her speeches was the emphasis on local issues — the cooperative bank scam, the economic and industrial stagnation, lack of drinking water and the communal discord under the BJP rule. In the meetings at Vandelli, Mehsana and Rajkot, she contrasted the conditions in Gujarat with those in Congress-ruled States.

She was cheered every time she referred to the cooperative banks scam. "How can a government which cheats people of their hard-earned money ever do any good for Gujarat?"

Rajkot-II must certainly was the high point of her visit; both for the turnout and the response she received. People lined up the streets as she drove from the airport to Shastri Maidan, and at the Idgah locality she was showered with flowers.

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