Sonia targets BJP, Nandigram violence at CPP meeting

“The debate on the 123 Agreement again exposed the hollowness of their stance. For the fifth time, I think both Pranabji and the Prime Minister have reiterated that the agreement in no way impinges on our national sovereignty and that Parliament will be kept fully informed at every step,” said the Congress chief.

Switching over to the “tragic and painful” events that took place in Nandigram, she reminded the party MPs of the AICC resolution on this issue. “The cult of violence and the manner in which armed party cadres prevented the law and order machinery from fulfilling its obligations to the people are most unfortunate. A permanent solution must be found to ensure that such incidents do not occur again and again,” she said.

Deploring the BJP’s obstructionist attitude in Parliament, Sonia said, “I thought that with the passage of time their frustration at having lost the 2004 Lok Sabha elections would moderate. But clearly that does not seem to be the case.”

She asked the MPs to spend time in their constituencies and speak to people about the party’s programmes. “Inform yourselves about their implementation, learn from them what they expect of us and as party workers, participate in activities which will strengthen the party,” she told them.

Referring to the recent serial blasts in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi, she said there was a “need for stepped up actionable intelligence and for greater vigilance and monitoring of sensitive public places”.

The Congress president said it was her impression that the people of Gujarat had seen through the “hollow claims” of the Narendra Modi Government about development works and were looking forward to a change. In its campaign, the Congress is reaffirming its commitment to fundamental constitutional and secular values and highlight the grave failures of the BJP Government, she told the party MPs.

She congratulated the Prime Minister for his “wise leadership”, which he demonstrated with “quiet determination”.