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Journalism of Courage
NANDURBAR (DHULE DIST), January 23: Sonia Gandhi today put up her best show yet in her political avatar taking this tribal, reserved constituency by storm in her first public meeting and bringing cheer to a rather listless Congress party in the state.
In a state governed by an aggressive Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance, Sonia proved a major crowd-puller drawing an estimated two lakh people to this remote tribal land, carefully chosen to bring back memories of Indira Gandhi who had also started her comeback campaign in the state with a hugely attended meeting here in 1980. In a town of 70,000, the GTP College grounds was packed with colourfully dressed Adivasis, including women and children in large numbers. Sonia herself, it was learnt, was very happy with the turnout and told state party leaders that it was her best so far.
Appropriately, her campaign speech today subtly shifted emphasis, picking up the social agenda a la mother-in-law. While Sonia’s speech in clear though halting Hindi contained the by now familiar attack against communal forces and made the usual references to the sacrifices of "my husband and his mother" and her status as the "bahu" of India, she picked up Mrs Gandhi’s "garibi hatao" theme declaring war against rising prices and unemployment calling for a better deal to the poor, the Adivasis, the labouring classes, workers, women and youth. In short, roti, kapda aur makan was the theme song today.
Keeping in mind that this was a major tribal area tucked away in a corner of Maharashtra, Sonia said, "Adivasis had a special place in my mother-in-law’s heart. She wished to safeguard their customs and traditions at the same time, she wished for a better quality of life for Adivasis and that the fruits of development should reach them in ample measure."
Women and panchayati raj came in for a special mention, cleverly linked to her husband’s contribution to both. "Panchayati Raj is Rajiv Gandhi’s gift to his country. As is the empowerment of women in the rural areas. He used to say that the nation cannot be strong unless its women are fully empowered."
Taking off from the martyred freedom fighter of Nandurbar, Shishir Kumar, she linked his sacrifices to that of Indira and Rajiv. "They had a dream for India. They wanted every Indian to stand on his or her feet. They wished for food, clothes and shelter (roti, kapda aur makan) for all. They died trying to make this dream come true," Sonia said to applause from the rural crowd.
Sonia arrived in Nandurbar — a Congress stronghold which has sent sitting MP Manikrao Gamit to the Lok Sabha for four consecutive terms — around two this afternoon as crowds began to pack the college grounds from nine in the morning. The large crowd, in fact, became a talking point with all Congressmen with a pleased-as-punch Sharad Pawar expressing immense satisfaction at the turn-out, mobilised from several neighbouring districts.
The only other leader who spoke other than Sonia, Pawar kept his address short describing Sonia as the Congress’ Sanjeevani who was keeping up the tradition of the Nehru-Gandhi family by placing duty above personal desires.
Sonia was presented with a traditional green and red Maharashtrian saree by MPCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh. She was also given a tribal necklace which she wore throughout her campaign in Nandurbar.
"Your troubles are mine," she told the gathering as a final parting shot, asking the people to vote the Congress for stability into the 21st century.
Arriving from Jodhpur, without daughter Priyanka, by helicopter, she left for Bardoli in Gujarat, not forgetting to make a mention of Subhash Chandra Bose, whose 101st birth anniversary the country celebrated today.
As she took off, she circled twice round the GTP College grounds, waving to the departing crowds from her chopper, she seemed to give a glimmer of hope for the hopelessly divided Congress party in the state.
