Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)/Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have relentlessly captured every single institution and silenced any voice of opposition, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said at the party’s 85th plenary on Saturday.
“This is a particularly challenging time, for the Congress and for the country as a whole. Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-RSS regime has relentlessly captured and subverted every single institution. It ruthlessly silences any voice of Opposition,” she said.
Ms. Gandhi also said it was gratifying to note that her innings had concluded with the Bharat Jodo Yatra that has come as a “turning point”.
“Over these 25 years, our party has seen times of high achievement as well as deep disappointment. The support, goodwill and understanding of each one of you and all the Congress party workers throughout the country has given us all strength. Our victories in 2004 and 2009, along with the able leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh-ji, gave me personal satisfaction, but what gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” she said.
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While some interpreted this remark as an indication of her impending retirement from politics, a senior leader told The Hindu that the reference was to her innings as the party’s president.
In an all-out attack on the BJP government, Ms. Gandhi accused it of “fuelling the fire of hatred” and “viciously targeting minorities, women, Dalits and tribals”. In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversy involving industrialist Gautam Adani, the former Congress chief said that the Modi government had caused economic ruin by favouring a particular businessman.
“And most distressingly, it [the BJP government] fuels the fires of fear and hatred against fellow Indians. It viciously targeted minorities, and ignored crimes and discrimination against them, against women, against Dalits and against Adivasis. It mocked Gandhiji, and through its words and actions, shows its contempt for the values of our Constitution,” she added.
Ms. Gandhi, who became the longest-serving president of the Congress party, said that though the times are challenging, the party will be able to emerge victorious.
“So, the path ahead is not easy. But my experience, as well as the rich history of the Congress, tells me that victory will be ours. To achieve it under Kharge-ji’s leadership, we must tackle the regime with boldness and vigour, and stand side-by-side with the people it attacks,” she said.
Ms. Gandhi said the Congress was not just a political party but a vehicle for people to fight for liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all.
“The [Bharat Jodo] yatra has come as a turning point. It has proved that the people of India overwhelmingly want harmony, tolerance and equality. It has renewed the rich legacy of dialogue between our party and the people through mass contact programmes. It has shown us all that the Congress stands with the people and is ready to fight for them,” she said.
After a video was played at the plenary session on her contributions to the party, expressing her gratitude, Ms. Gandhi said, “This also shows how old I have become and now, young people under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge must come forward.”
