HYDERABAD, Jan 16: Sonia Gandhi chose this city, with a significant Muslim population, to condemn the demolition of the Babri Masjid by ``forces'' which she said were threatening the country once again. Curiously, Bofors found no mention in her speech today but in tune with the daily clearing of Rajiv Gandhi's name in her poll campaign, Sonia claimed that her husband had sworn to lay down his life before allowing anyone to touch the Babri Masjid.``In 1992, when the Babri Masjid was demolished by a group of fundamentalists, all right-thinking Indians were outraged. I too was devastated. Just about a month before he was assassinated, my husband said to me that if ever an attempt was made to touch the Babri Masjid, he would stand in front of it and they would have to kill him first. That was the power of his dedication to a secular India,'' Sonia said.These words were also aimed at winning over those Muslims who deserted the Congress after the demolition in 1992. The party has still been wavering on how far to go on its slated apology for allowing the demolition. In fact, it was Rajiv Gandhi who allowed the locks to be opened to the controversial structure, a key event in the dispute.If Sonia's attempt today was to clear Rajiv's name for posterity, she chose a good venue for it. If turnout was any indication, Hyderabad was a success for the crowd crossed the one lakh figure.She seemed to enjoy every moment of it, perching dangerously close to the edge of the dais to allow everyone to see, and respond, to her now trademark wave.However, she is beginning to repeat large portions of her speech: her trauma over Rajiv's killing; anguish over the attempts by ``forces'' to divide the country and the emphasis on a right and able leadership of the Congress. People were everywhere, even packed on the two roads outside the Nizam College grounds in the blazing heat. The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee received an unexpected pat on the back when a beaming Sonia congratulated and thanked them for organising a spectacular show.But doubts persist. The crowds may be big but there seems to be no back-up effort to cash in. In Bangalore, the PCC leaders seemed to think that Sonia would generate a two to three per cent swing in their favour which would get them more seats.``That is enough,'' said H Hanumanthappa, CPP secretary.
