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Congressmen bow to the dynasty at AICC session

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

Obsequiousness to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and glowing tributes to the Nehru-Gandhi family marked the AICC session at the Talkatora stadium, New Delhi, on Friday.

Leading the applause was Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who spoke first during the motion of thanks to Sonia. Significantly, the Congressman, who announced his name as the first speaker, was Janardan Dwivedi, former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao's aide.

Singh emphasised that he, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were "saplings planted by Rajiv Gandhi and who had grown in stature under the able leadership of our party chief."

He contended that not only the party, but Indians in general owed much to Sonia Gandhi and the Nehru family. Underlining that the oppressed and backward classes, the minorities and women had started returning to the Congress fold, he said all this had been made possible by Sonia, who had captured the imagination of the people. He said he had "no doubts that she is our future prime minister" who would bring the country back on the road to prosperity and wellbeing from the depressing depths to which it had sunk under the present government.

Singh took it upon himself to claim that "there is nobody in the Congress today who can challenge Soniaji" and that the entire party stood behind her. While praying for her continuing good health, he expressed the hope that "1999 would be especially good for her".

The organisers of the Talkatora session, it appeared, had handpicked the speakers for the motion of thanks, the other two being Dikshit and Gehlot.

Dikshit left none in doubt that the party's victory in last month's election was due to Sonia's strategy. She wanted every party member to stand solidly behind Sonia, "who would show the way out of the dark tunnel".

Gehlot thanked the party chief for energising the Rajasthan unit, and said she had filled the people of the state with hope.

The only Congress leader who did not follow the tribute routine was Rajesh Pilot. In fact, he told Priyaranjan Dasmunshi not to keep raising slogans in the party chief's favour. If he really wanted to help Sonia, Pilot said, Dasmunshi should take the initiative in buttressing her support base in rural areas.

Party posts reserved for women, weaker sections

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