BULDHANA/BEED, Feb 14: Her credentials as a daughter of India, a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj and brickbats for the Shiv Sena-BJP government. Sonia Gandhi brought an emotion-packed, but well-crafted, package for the second phase of her whirlwind election tour to Maharashtra today.Accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, she landed at Aurangabad this morning to address five public meetings during the day. The fanfare that was witnessed at Aurangabad airport was followed by heavy to very heavy turnout in her rallies at Buldhana, Beed, Sholapur, Kolhapur and Latur. At Buldhana, which goes to poll on February 22, Sonia launched a frontal attack on the Sena-BJP government saying it had miserably failed in tackling the woes of farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada who were severely affected by the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
``Though the rabi as well as kharif crops worth crores of rupees were damaged, the alliance government extended meagre financial assistance to them,'' Sonia told the mammoth rally. The countrycould not be happy if the farmers were unhappy, she said.
Sonia paid rich tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji, Saint Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon and dalit saint Chokha Mela. ``These towering personalities had always shown us the path of peace and victory,'' she added.
Strongly criticising the BJP for describing her as a foreigner, Sonia reiterated that she was not only the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, but a daughter of India too.``I have taken lessons of patriotism from Indira and Rajiv. Till my last breath, I will remain Indian,'' she remarked.
She said barring the Congress, most of the political parties were in the fray for personal gains and were not concerned about the welfare of the masses.
These parties do not have any concrete programme to curb growing corruption in all walks of life, unemployment, unprecedented inflation and problems of women, she alleged. ``I feel that these parties will reach any compromise to secure power,'' she added.
Recalling the contribution of her husband, Sonia saidhe was instrumental in drafting new plans for youth, women and local self government bodies. ``The real tribute to him will be to fulfil his dream of taking India to the 21st century,'' she added.
Earlier, senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar introduced Sudhakarrao Naik, Mukul Wasnik, Prakash Ambedkar and Uttamrao Paril, who are contesting from Washim, Buldhana, Akola and Yeotmal respectively. Pawar too strongly criticised the BJP for imposing mid-term polls.
Continuing from where she had left, in Beed which goes to poll on February 22, Sonia addressed a crowd of two lakh people and reiterated her commitment to the ``country of her suhaag''.
Campaigning for Congress candidate Ashok Patil in the perennially draught-affected district of tribal and Banjara community, Sonia unfolded her memories vividly: ``I can never forget the day of my marriage, when my mother-in-law dressed me as a traditional Banjara bride,'' she said even as the crowd roared and Rahul stood up and waved at the crowd.
Sonia carefullycharged up the crowd touching upon local and regional issues like the huge floating population of farm workers in the district, the contribution of sons of the soil - Swami Ramanand Teerth in the freedom struggle of the country, Shivaji Maharaj and Sant Dyaneshwar.
Her attack on BJP sharpened here. ``Remember what happened in 1992. A feeling of insecurity spread into every nook and corner of this country. At the time when the government was needed to address serious problems before the nation, divisive forces were out creating enmity between brothers,'' she said. Just when she was sounding too political, she hastened to add that she had no passion for politics but it was the unrealised dream of her husband that forced her to take matters in her hands. ``I want Rajiv Gandhi's words that India will become a power to reckon with in the 21st century to come true,'' she said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
