Sonia defends Jain report, raps critics

AMETHI, Feb 1: It was a homecoming for the widowed bahu of Amethi and people accorded a warm welcome to Sonia Gandhi. Sonia too -- accompani...

AMETHI, Feb 1: It was a homecoming for the widowed bahu of Amethi and people accorded a warm welcome to Sonia Gandhi. Sonia too — accompanied by daughter Priyanka, son-in-law Robert Vadra and son Rahul, who made his first appearance in the campaign and flew from abroad for the purpose — reciprocated the gesture by freely mingling with the crowd.

But this did not deter her from commenting upon the controversy surrounding Justice Milap Chand Jain Commission, inquiring into Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.

Lashing out at those who doubted the authenticity of the interim report

of the Jain Commission, Sonia said: “This is only an attempt to divert the investigation into the conspiracy behind your brother’s brutal assassination.”

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In a veiled attack on DMK chief Karunanidhi and former Prime Ministers, Chandra Shekhar and V P Singh, Sonia told the over one-lakh strong crowd: “There are some people in the political arena of the country who facilitated the murder of my husband.”

Referring obliquely toTamil Maanila Congress (TMC) chief G.K. Moopanar’s decision to continue his alliance with the DMK, Sonia said: “There are some people who are aligning with the fans of my husband’s murderers due to the politics of power.”

Sonia demanded that the probe into the conspiracy to assassinate her husband should be conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

“Rajiv besides being a husband and father, was also the Prime Minister who gave up his life for this country. I demand the probe to be conducted expeditiously,” she said. Targeting the BJP, Sonia said: “There is no place for hatred in Indian culture and separatist attitudes cannot bring about equality in the society. They are using the same words which were used by followers of the ideology which killed Mahatma Gandhi.” Sonia termed the mellowing down of the BJP a “political compulsion”. She said the people won’t accept the party which promotes violence and demolishes religious structures. “There is only hatred behind the veil of goodwill,” shesaid.

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The Congress’ star campaigner reminded the people that her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi gave up her life for the country. “Isi pavitra bhoomi main mere maang ka sindoor bhi mila hua hai (My husband’s blood is also mixed in the pious soil of India),” she said exhorting people that they should not let the sacrifices by her family go waste.

Sonia and her family reached the meeting ground at Jais town in two helicopters at 2:45 p.m., two hours behind schedule, to a rapturous welcome.The occasional wave by Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka was responded by the crowd with warm slogans hailing the trio. Rahul went to the people across the barriers and shook hands with them after the meeting. Sonia, however did not accede to requests by senior party leaders who wanted to hear both Rahul and Priyanka.

Sonia excused herself for not contesting from Amethi this time. “I know I have disappointed you. I am sad about it. But my basic aim is to strengthen the Congress,” she reiterated.

Besides her family,Sonia Gandhi was flanked on the dais by UPCC chief Narain Dutt Tewari, AICC vice-president Jitendra Prasada and Congress candidates from Amethi and Sultanpur constituencies , Capt Satish Sharma and Deepa Kaul respectively.