BJP’s sovereignty charge against Sonia Gandhi: Here is what she said

At the rally, which was also attended by Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, this is what Sonia Gandhi said in her speech in Hindi:

“I thank you all from my heart for coming here from far-off places. Your presence in large numbers is a guarantee of a better and new future for Karnataka. I am fully confident that it won’t be long before change comes to this state.

Everyone knows how the people of the state have excelled in every sector due to hard work. You have made the state and country proud in every sector, may it be arts, literature, IT sector, dairy, agriculture or start-ups.

In the history of the Congress, Karnataka has a special place. It is also a matter of pride that Shri Mallikarjun Kharge is leading the party. Brothers and sisters, in 1978, when Indiraji was fighting the repressive policies of the Central government against her, the people of Chikmagalur fully backed her. In my case too, when 24 years ago, I fought my first Lok Sabha election, I was trusted and backed by the people of Ballari.

It is our duty to raise our voice against this andhergati (destructive) government. The Bharat Jodo Yatra (led by Rahul) was also against those whose job it is to spread hatred. The BJP government’s loot, lies, arrogance and hatred have created such an environment that, without getting rid of it, neither Karnataka nor the nation can develop.

This is why, thousands and lakhs of people participated in the 4,000-km padyatra of Rahul. You are all seeing how worried the BJP was about the Yatra, leading it to use all kinds of oppressive tactics.

Don’t you think that dacoity is the business of those in power? In 2018, you did not give them (the BJP) power, but they stole power through dacoity. After this, their 40% sarkara has been looting you.

Their leaders are so arrogant that they don’t respond to questions or letters… They think that constitutional bodies are in their pocket. I would like to ask you whether you have seen any government behaving as it wishes, like this government? Have you seen it before? Does democracy work this way? No.

Today, the situation is such that they issue open threats. They say that if they don’t win, then Karnataka will not get (Narendra) Modiji’s aashirwad (blessings). They say that if the BJP loses, there will be riots.

I would like to tell them on your behalf, ‘Don’t think the people of Karnataka are this powerless and weak’. People of Karnataka are not dependent on anyone’s blessings, but trust their hard work and resolve. People of Karnataka are not cowards or greedy that you can mislead them.

People of Karnataka will tell you on May 10 what they are made of. Sisters and brothers, the time has come to tell them that their conspiracy of looting a good institution like Nandini by sidelining the interests of farmers and milk producers will not work here.

Today, the time has come to tell them that the fortune of leaders is determined by the blessings of the people. Their fates are not dependent on the blessings of any leader. The public takes its own decision about its fortune.

Karnataka is the holy land of Bhagwan Basavanna, who gave the message of treating everyone equally without discriminating. This is the land of the grand poet Kuvempu, whose thoughts are insulted every day by the BJP.

I would like to tell them not to toy with the history of India and the ancient tradition of social justice in Karnataka. Don’t take the country and Karnataka on the path of destruction to fulfill your political greed.

It is in front of your eyes what Karnataka has gone through in the last three-and-a-half years. You have to take a vow today to change this poor state of affairs. You tell me, whom will you trust? Those who benefit only a few people, or those who struggle for the welfare of everyone? Whom will you trust to rid Karnataka of loot and commission demands? Whom will you trust to maintain social justice and the tradition of harmony?

The answer to all this… I want to hear from you… is the Congress party.

Five years ago, the Congress struggled very hard to fulfill all its assurances in Karnataka. Today, Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh are fulfilling each of their (poll) promises.

All our leaders have told you in detail what the Congress will do after forming the government in Karnataka. Therefore, I will not repeat it. I just want to assure you that the Congress will not break your trust at any cost, and try with all its might to fulfill each of its promises to you – may it be Gruha Lakshmi or Yuva Nidhi or Anna Bhagya.

I would like to request all brothers and sisters of Karnataka, that to save the state from the BJP’s loot, give your every vote to Congress leaders and help them win by a huge majority on May 10, and form an honest government that guarantees progress to make your future brighter.

In the end, I would again like to thank you for coming to this rally.

Jai Hind! Jai Karnataka!”