National
NDA formed only for power: Sonia
By Lalit Shastri
LAKHNADON (Madhya Pradesh), JAN. 16. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, today lashed out at the BJP-led coalition at the Centre saying it was a contraption of parties, always at loggerheads, which had come together only for power.
Ms. Gandhi was addressing a mammoth rally organised here by the Madhya Pradesh Government for distributing bonus to tendu leaf pluckers. ``We are facing threats, both internal and external,'' she said, adding ``those in power are using such rhetoric that it appears as if only one political party has the mandate to face the challenge.''
Taking a dig at the Centre, Ms. Gandhi said there was no one who was not opposed to terrorism. The Congress had made sacrifices for the country and even today, it did not lag behind.
``People across the country are fed up with the policies of the Central Government.''
Denouncing the Centre's industrial policy, Ms. Gandhi said it was leading to unemployment. ``Our womenfolk are suffering the harsh realities of life, farmers are committing suicide and those belonging to the minorities and weaker sections have no faith left in the Central Government.''
She acknowledged the support extended by the people of Madhya Pradesh to the Congress and said the people here ``know the truth about the BJP.'' The Congress had ``a glorious 116-year-old history and has set a tradition of commitment and sacrifice for the cause of the nation.'' Citing the example of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, she said ``it is easier to talk of nationalism and commitment to the cause of the nation but difficult to move on this path. Many who were not even remotely connected with the freedom struggle have become leaders today.''
Directly addressing the tendu leaf pluckers - mostly tribals - Ms. Gandhi said the leaf had become a symbol of uplift of the working class since it ushered in a revolution by eliminating the middlemen and making the workers, the real owners.
The AICC general secretary, Kamal Nath, and Ms. Mohsina Kidwai also addressed the rally. The Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, and the MPCC chief, Radhakishan Malviya, were also present.
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