‘Together we can’

Responding to a volley of questions on a host of issues — from starvation deaths in Rajasthan to the fluctuating situation in Uttar Pradesh to the possible entry into politics of her son Rahul — and without seeking any assistance from senior party leaders, Sonia made it clear that the Congress was not going to hand over power in Uttar Pradesh to the Samajwadi Party on a platter.

‘‘We are open to working with like-minded secular parties. But we are not in the game of breaking governments. The situation is fluid in UP. If the government falls under the weight of its contradictions, we will move in. We have asked the Governor to convene a special session of the Assembly so that the picture becomes clear.’’

When it was pointed out to her that the CMs had dwelt at length on rural development but the party leadership was still to explain the starvation deaths in Rajasthan, Sonia said the deaths had caused her much anguish and she had been in constant touch with CM Ashok Gehlot.

‘‘The state government has set up a two-member inquiry commission which will give its report soon. The victims are supposed to have consumed some seeds. I have been told these seeds are consumed by the Saharya community and sold in the open market.’’

In the same breath, she turned on the Centre for being ‘‘insensitive to the plight of Rajasthan’’. The state, she said, had been given only two lakh tonnes of grain from the Centre though it had asked for 56 lakh tonnes. ‘‘We do believe that the Centre has been discriminatory towards Congress states.’’

On the issue of disinvestment, Sonia said there was no confusion in the party. ‘‘We are not for disinvestment of profit-making PSUs.’’

On her son Rahul’s possible entry into the Congress by assuming charge of the Seva Dal, she declined to give any categorical answer. ‘‘They (her son and daughter) are grown-up people. They take their own decision just like my husband and I.’’

She was irritated when a reporter asked her if the Congress silence on Godhra could affect its show at the hustings in Gujarat. ‘‘We were the very first to condemn the Godhra tragedy. The fact has been recognised in Parliament by the Home Minister (L.K. Advani) and Pramod Mahajan.”