Congress president Sonia Gandhi today staked her claim for the prime ministership by implying that she has the requisite political experience to push the party to power at the Centre, the way she did in 15 states. Clearly seeking to counter the political seniority of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, Sonia, in her inaugural speech at the Shimla conclave today, talked of how she has turned the party around in the five years of her tenure — from six Chief Ministers in 1998 to 15 Chief Ministers today. She chose to highlight her decision for a Congress-PDP coalition government in J-K as an example of her political acumen and maturity. ‘‘The past five years have been a tremendous learning experience for me and I should say I am still learning,’’ she added. Stressing that she has the support of the grassroot-level workers, Sonia said: ‘‘All along, it has been my desire to give respect and voice to the karyakarta (worker) across the country. I have been overwhelmed by the affection that has been showered upon me.’’ Interpreting her achievements as the ‘‘collective contribution’’ of party workers at all levels, she hinted at the backing she enjoys from leaders. Seeking to clear the air on the charges made by senior party leaders that she remains surrounded by her coterie, Sonia said: ‘‘There is never any shortage of advice on any subject. I listen to all of them. I consult my colleagues. They are people of wide experience. We may not always agree but I do seek a consensus. Ultimately, the decision is mine.’’ ‘‘By nature, I not only want to do the right thing but I also want to do a thing right,’’ she said, adding: ‘‘It was not easy, for example, to decide what to do when the government was being formed in J-K eight months ago. But I took inspiration from what Rajivji did in Punjab and Assam in 1985 and in Mizoram in 1986 and decided for a coalition in the larger interest of our country.’’ Sonia was clear on the issues to be discussed during the conclave, probably anticipating that the meet may turn into a stage for internecine war. Her apprehensions could stem from the dissent in Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and the pre-election squabbling in poll-going states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chhattisgarh. ‘‘I would encourage all of you to express your views frankly. But I must stress that we are here to deliberate on ideas, not to discuss individuals. This is a time for introspection and honest interaction, all of which should finally point to a political plan of action,’’ she said. Speaking later, chief party spokesperson Jaipal Reddy said Sonia would lead the party into elections. ‘‘The idea of questioning her leadership does not arise in the minds of partymen.’’ On why Sonia did not mention the Prime Minister in her inaugural speech when she made a scathing attack on the NDA Government, Reddy said: ‘‘We do not have to name Vajpayee. Like in the case of the Congress, the buck stops with the party president, in case of the NDA Government, the Prime Minister is responsible for all the issues.’’ Speaking earlier, senior party leader Salman Khurshid had said that when the Congress says the BJP’s time is up, ‘‘it actually means that Vajpayee’s time is up.”
