Govt shielding Rajiv killers: Sonia
Sharat Pradhan in Gandhinagar, Amethi
Sonia Gandhi finally broke her silence on her husband's assassination, when she attacked the government for shielding his killers.
Welcoming the verdict in the case -- all the 26 accused were sentenced to death last week -- Sonia said little was done to unravel the conspiracy in the assassination.
''During my last Amethi visit, I had expressed my agony at the slow pace of investigation in the case. But the conspiracy is yet to be unravelled,'' she said, adding that there were several others
who had a hand in the conspiracy.
''I would therefore expect the government not to allow any let-up in the investigations and ensure expeditious completion of the probe so that the whole truth relating to the conspiracy is brought out,'' she pointed out in her speech to launch the Congress campaign in Uttar Pradesh.
An emotionally charged Sonia focused much attention on her late husband, the circumstances under which he was killed and his contribution to the country.
Making an oblique reference to the Tamil Maanila Congress's alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham, Sonia said, ''There were others who are shaking hands and embracing those who maintained an unholy nexus with the killers and even facilitated them to carry out their mission.''
Knowing how emotionally attached the Amethi people were to Rajiv, Sonia charged, ''Even after one court had pronounced
its decision in the Rajiv murder case, some people were trying
to distort facts and misinterpret the court orders, obviously
to serve their own vested interest.''
Accompanied by her daughter Priyanaka Vadra, son Rahul and son-in-law Robert Vadra -- the latter duo made their maiden appearance on any political platform -- Sonia described her visit to Rajiv's Lok Sabha constituency as a 'homecoming'.
Draped in a plain mustard-yellow saree, her head covered, she appeared to win the hearts of the 100,000-strong crowd who had gathered
in the sprawling open fields and swarmed the nearby roads to
listen to Amethi's bahu (daughter-in-law).
Sonia was introduced by Captain Satish Sharma who is seeking re-election from the constituency. Sharma inherited the political constituency after Rajiv's assassination. He has been renominated clearly because of his proximity to the Gandhis despite his failure to win over voters.
Attacking the criticism about
her foreign lineage, she said, ''I am an Indian and the wife
of that great soul who laid down his life for the nation.''
She was also quick to remind the gathering about the sacrifice
made by her late mother-in-law Indira Gandhi ''who also shed her
blood for this nation''.
In the same vein, she sought to highlight ''the India of Rajiv Gandhi's dream -- a great nation free of poverty and unemployment -- where everyone would get food, clothing and shelter. He might have been snatched from us. But no one can crush his dreams -- which could be fulfilled only by the Congress. It is the only party capable of providing a stable, efficient and clean government.''
Realising how cut-up the local population was over her decision
not to contest the election, she said, ''I know you are unhappy over my decision. I am also not happy. But then I did so after giving it a deep thought. Please try to understand my reasons for keeping out of the contest this time. But do make it a point to support us, because by strengthening my hands, you will be providing greater strength to the Congress and, in turn, the nation.''
Continuing her emotional appeal, she said amidst applause, ''I will never be able to repay your love and devotion. But remember, even if I am not be your nominee in the Lok Sabha, you will always find me beside you whenever you need me.''
And, as if to pacify the people who are reportedly unhappy with Sharma, she pointed out, ''I am sure Satish Sharma will fulfil his duties and commitment to the people of Amethi. Yet, if you feel that your voice is not being heard, you will always find my doors open to your grievances.''
Making a subtle attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and its prime ministerial nominee Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she said, ''They have been seeking a chance to govern the nation and have also been talking of harmony. But I wish to ask them, 'Who are they trying to fool and mislead?' I
am sure the people of India will not support those who have vitiated
the atmosphere of this country and have been responsible for the demolition of a religious structure.''
Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka and Robert Vadra were
out to win the hearts of the enthusiastic crowds. They ignored security barriers to walk along the 500-metre wooden barricade around the helipad and stretched out their hands to acknowledge the people's greetings and applause.
The quartet arrived in Gandhinagar in two helicopters from the nearby Fursatganj airfield, where they landed in a special aircraft from New Delhi.
A bubbling Priyanka, dressed in a black-bordered turquoise blue
saree, looked even more enthused with her brother accompanying her on this trip.
Rajiv Gandhi's children repeatedly waved to acknowledge
the unending cheers of the crowd. Robert, too, joined
in intermittently.
''Dressed in a white khadi-kurta pyjama and black waistcoat, Rahul looks exactly like Rajiv Gandhi when
he first came to Amethi in 1981,'' observed
an old Congressman while an Uttar Pradesh Congress leader on the podium appealed to the brother and sister to say a few words.
Priyanka responded at the end of the show, by asking
the gathering, ''Tell me, will you vote for the Congress?'' ''Yes!'' was the thunderous response.
Sharma's main rival Sanjay Singh, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, was once close to the Rajiv Gandhi household. But the two fell out in Rajiv's lifetime itself. Until Sonia's arrival in Amethi, Singh was expected to give Sharma a tough fight. But political observers do not foresee any keen contest now.
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