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Journalism of Courage
Gujarat and J-K weighed heavily on Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s mind this morning as she kicked off the Chief Ministers’ conclave, giving a loud call for replacement of the NDA Government by Congress rule that would ‘‘take the country from stagnation to growth, from strife to harmony and from darkness to light.’’
‘‘The BJP-led NDA Government has just completed three years in office at the Centre. The country has seen through the hollow claims made by the coalition which has been a comprehensive failure,’’ she said.
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TIWARI AVOIDS CONCLAVE, ESCAPES EMBARRASSMENT
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Dehra Dun: Uttaranchal CM Narain Dutt Tiwari has escaped some bitter questions about the functioning of his government by excusing himself from the Congress CMs’ conclave. He stayed back due to prior engagements related to the state’s anniversary on Saturday. This has saved Tiwari from having to answer tough questions about governance. In the past seven months, his government has been rocked by scandals. The CM had to cancel the selection of patwaris in Pauri Garhwal district. A district magistrate was suspended after allegations of irregularities and corruption were proved in a government inquiry. Fingers were raised at state Revenue Minister Harak Singh Rawat, who belongs to the district. — ENS |
Though unsparing of the NDA rule, she began her opening remarks with J-K and Gujarat, indicating where her priorities lie in the days to come. In fact, point out observers, her eagerness betrayed what most in the meet would not admit in front of a camera: That the major — but unstated — objective of the conclave was to sharpen the Congress’ political objective now that the going was good. All else, including the need for economic and administrative reforms, came next even though much would be talked about these too.
In J-K, Sonia began, the Congress was determined to ensure that the common minimum programme was implemented in letter and spirit to secure a new future for its people.
The electoral victory in J-K was reflected in Sonia’s ‘‘confidence’’ in the people of Gujarat, whom she held would come out decisively in favour of the Gujarat of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel irrespective of their caste, religion and economic status.
‘‘We are going to Gujarat with one over-riding message,’’ she told the CMs, ‘‘it’s the message of religious tolerance and understanding. Gujarat’s economic success can only be sustained if bigotry is defeated.’’
Beside party CMs, Sonia’s audience included top party leaders. Empowerment of Dalits, women and weaker sections remained top priority for the Congress, Sonia said.
Beginning the day with the review of the six-month-old Guwahati resolve, Sonia asked the CMs to be more self-critical and introspective.
‘‘India needs a strong Centre, strong states and strong panchayats and nagarpalikas, all supporting and driving strength from each other,’’ she said. Sonia reminded the partymen that the country was looking to the Congress to provide a Government that would govern and an administration that would administer.
She spelt out the party’s final aim to be achieved by 2004 general elections: ‘‘We have to consolidate, retaining power in the state where we are in the office and ousting the BJP and its allies in states where we are in the Opposition.’’
