Date:18/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/18/stories/2007111860341100.htm

National

Avoid discrimination: Arjun

Special Correspondent

Arjun Singh

NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Human Resource Development Arjun Singh on Saturday urged the Congress leadership to ensure that there was no discrimination within the party.

Addressing the AICC session here, Mr. Singh said no distinction should be made within the Congress on the basis of people’s educational qualifications. “Some workers may be educated, and some may be highly educated, but their commitment to the party is the same.”

Stating that he was speaking openly as he was at the fag end of his life, the Minister said the Congress was passing through a decisive and sensitive phase because of the nature of Indian politics. Lamenting the tendency among Congress workers to be guided by benefits, he urged them to give the party top priority.

On Rahul Gandhi, the Minister said there were flashes of his father Rajiv Gandhi in him. “If he remains steadfast to what he has professed in his speech at this session, then the future of the Congress is secure.” And, referring to the young Congressman’s tours of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Assembly elections in the State — where the party put in a dismal show — he said it was the responsibility of every Congressman to ensure that this is not repeated again anywhere in the country.

Expressing gratitude to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for inclusion of a reference to Gujarat in the omnibus resolution, Mr. Singh said the upcoming Assembly elections in the State was not just any ordinary poll but an ideological battle against “Hitlershahi” as the Gujarat Chief Minister ‘represents the ideology of Hitler.’