Rajivism as elixir for the nation’s woes: Sonia’s sermon to Congress

But the rest was an extension of Rajiv, as personified by Sonia. Yet, there were some changes from the previous six such anniversaries. For one, Sonia simply slipped into the AICC headquarters from a spanking new gate linking 10, Janpath and 24, Akbar Road – one of the continuing topographical changes in the party headquarters.

Second, the crowd today filled the area and a little over 2,000 people waited in the heatfor a glimpse of whom they believe is the Congress’ saviour. The party leadership, however, seemed to be a little thin in attendance. Among the big names Arjun Singh, Sitaram Kesri, Meira Kumar, Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, R K Dhawan, Manmohan Singh, Madhavrao Scindia, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who organised the meeting, and Oscar Fernandes were on the high dais. Some others sat below but not traceable were Rajesh Pilot, P A Sangma and S K Shinde, the trio in whom Sonia apparently places a lot of trust. Indeed, for a while it looked like the occasion would turn into another political meeting with regular demands for Sonia to wave taking precedence over all else. But, Sonia had reserved her touch for the end. The crowd was asked to maintain two minutes of silence in memory of Rajiv. It worked and finally the point was hammered home that this was a memorial meeting.

So what do Congress workers do from here on. Sonia had some suggestions: “Rajiv fought all his life for the good of the country. We too must. He laiddown his life for the nation. We must be prepared to do the same. We are in the Opposition but it is upon us to regain the trust and confidence of the people.”

Party men were warned, once more, that success depended entirely on their efforts. Sonia shared some of her private thoughts with the crowd: “Politics was never a profession or a means to power for Rajiv. In his death, you have lost a peace-loving saint, a fine citizen and a friend who worried about his country. His sterling voice is being missed today.”

The BJP managed to occupy a few lines in Sonia’s address, read out in Hindi. She spoke of the “darkness which was enveloping the nation.” “The principles for which great people sacrificed their lives are being ignored. Our concept of unity in diversity is in danger. Secularism is in danger. As Rajiv’s wife I cannot remain a mute spectator. I consider it my duty to take you out of this danger,” she added. She also hit at BJP’s celebration of the nuclear tests. Congressmen were told that theroad to Delhi lay in the villages and its remote and backward, areas. They were reminded that Rajiv had reduced the voting age to 18, recognised the role of youth in the nation’s development and established Panchayati Raj.

Sonia shifts stand on nuke tests

In yet another shift of stand on the nuclear tests, Sonia Gandhi came out against the decision to conduct the tests on Thursday. Sachhi shakti sanyam me haien. Khule aam pradarshan me nahi, (real strength lies in restraint and not in display of it), Sonia said.

Addressing a "sankalp divas" rally at the AICC headquarters on the occasion of seventh death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, she prefaced her statement by congratulating the scientists for the capability shown by them.

Along with use of science for national security, it should be utilised for removal of poverty and backwardness in the country, she said.

The Congress had initially questioned the timing of the tests and had sought to know as to what prompted the decision. Ithad also asked the government not to politicise the issue.