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Journalism of Courage
Speaking in Bihar after five years and pitching for her party’s revival, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said she and her party were ‘‘concerned about the present state of affairs in Bihar.’’ She was addressing an election campaign meeting this afternoon.
The gathering was impressive—substantially more than those at the meetings addressed by BJP leader L K Advani and RJD president Laloo Prasad just within a kilometre this afternoon—despite the incessant rains since morning.
Explaining her alliance with RJD and at the same time trying to distance the Congress from Bihar’s failures, Sonia said, ‘‘All our alliances are with the aim of ensuring our ideals of communal harmony—we are aware of our responsibilities, given the unique problems that the state of Bihar is facing. We cannot have children being kidnapped like this and crime disturbing social life. Bihar needs tranquility, harmony and development now.’’
Making a distinction between Congress and ‘‘non-congress parties,’’ she said for her party, the battle has always been for ideals. ‘‘Before and after independence, we have given up our lives for our ideals,’’ she said, indirectly reminding people of the personal losses she has suffered.
Throughout her 15-minute speech, Sonia Gandhi tried to hammer in the difference between Congress and non-Congress parties—including her own alliance partners—without naming any party or person. ‘‘For non-Congress parties, power is important. For us, our ideals of secularism and communal harmony are more important,’’ she said, again indirectly reminding people of her rejection of the PM’s post last year. ‘‘We have alliances with other parties who fought against divisive forces in the last Lok Sabha elections.’’
Returning to her not-so-veiled criticism of the RJD-led state government which Congress is also party of, Sonia said that Bihar’s situation of the day needs improvement. ‘‘The problems of the state need to be tackled and the Congress party has demonstrated its ability to do so. Our joining the government in 2000 was not because we wanted to be in power. It was for a larger ideal.’’
Stressing that she was aware of the state’s ‘‘lack of development, unemployment and other problems,’’ Sonia said the ‘‘next secular government that will come to power after elections will address these problems.’’ She said along with communal harmony, the Congress is committed to development too.
Reminding the audience that Buxar is associated with the mythical Vishwamitra, she said the Congress party is as determined as the saint to ensure the state’s well-being. She concluded by asking the enthused crowd to call “Jai Hind” after her.
As the crowd dispersed, the message from the Congress president was not lost on them—the Congress wants a government in Bihar in which the RJD could well be part of, but the Congress would be in control. By fielding more than 80 candidates, the Congress wants to be in a decisive role vis-a-vis alliance partner RJD.
