The Hindu : BJP trying to divert people's attention: Sonia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 17, 2002

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National

BJP trying to divert people's attention: Sonia
By Our Staff Correspondent

GUNA (MADHYA PRADESH), FEB. 16. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, today continued her attack against the BJP-led Government at the Centre saying that it was raising non-issues and trying to divert the people's attention from its failure on all fronts.

Ms. Gandhi was addressing an election rally at the Lal Parade Ground this evening seeking votes for her party candidate, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is contesting the by-election for the Guna-Shivpuri parliamentary seat.

Ms. Gandhi said her seeking votes for the young Scindia was actually the party's way of paying tribute to his father, Madhavrao Scindia. Observing that the elections were being held at a time when the country was witnessing a decline of value-based politics, she said people would remember the late Scindia as a leader who symbolised the highest traditions of democratic values and maintained absolute dignity in public life. The Congress and the country had high hopes in the Scindia scion, she added.

Ms. Gandhi said people should vote for the Congress in order to take the nation on the path of progress and revive its glory. The Congress Government in the State was successfully implementing various welfare schemes for Dalits, women and backward communities.

Launching a frontal attack on the NDA Government, Ms. Gandhi said the ruling coalition was made up of warring groups who had come together to usurp power. After failing to fulfil their election promises, they were now trying to make terrorism an election issue.

``We recognise the face of terrorism. The biggest terrorist was the one who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and he was associated with those organisations that are now linked with the Bharatiya Janata Party,'' she added.

In his speech, Mr. Scindia recalled the bond his family has had with the people of the region. He promised to dedicate his life for the welfare of the people and development of the region.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, said people would not forget Madhavrao Scindia's contribution for all-round progress and development of the country. People should pay their best tribute to him by getting his son elected by a huge margin, he said.

Mr. Scindia's mother, Madhviraje Scindia, also spoke.

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