Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, saying the Indian democracy is passing through its 'most difficult phase'. Presiding over a meeting of AICC general secretaries and state-in-charges on Sunday, Sonia ripped into the government over the farm laws, economic slowdown, coronavirus handling, and atrocities against Dalits.
Sonia said that there was a 'designed attack' on the Constitution and democratic traditions. She accused the current dispensation of 'systematically handing over the rights of citizens to a handful of crony capitalists'.
"A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the gains of the green revolution," she said while addressing the first meeting of the party's new general secretaries and state in-charges after a major organisational reshuffle last month.
"Lives and livelihoods of crores of farm labourers, leasehold farmers, small and marginal farmers, toiling labourers and small shopkeepers are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy," a PTI report quoted the Congress president as saying.
The country was pushed into the "abyss" of coronavirus pandemic by "sheer ineptitude" and "mismanagement" of the Modi government, she alleged.
"All this happened as we witnessed the biggest unplanned and cruel migration of crores of migrant labourers as the government remained a mute spectator to their miseries. The stark truth is that a prime minister who promised to defeat corona within 21 days has abdicated his and his government's responsibility towards the citizens," she said.
She said that there is neither a plan nor strategic thinking, solution or a way ahead in the fight against the pandemic. The Congress president went on to claim that the government has simultaneously "demolished" the economy, built painstakingly by the hard work of fellow Indians, and the vision of successive Congress governments.
"Never has the country witnessed such a free-fall in GDP as also all other economic indices," she said. The 73-year-old Raebareli MP also accused the government of failing to honour even its Constitutional responsibilities, saying the share of GST compensation is being denied to states.
Alleging that atrocities against Dalits have reached a "new zenith", she said that instead of honouring the law and granting adequate protection to India's daughters, BJP governments are siding with criminals. She exhorted the general secretaries and state in-charges to take on these challenges and stand with the people.
"Persistent and determined struggle for the cause of people is the heart and soul of Indian National Congress. Even today, dedicated service of fellow citizens and determined fight against the injustice, inequity and discrimination in all spheres is the guiding light for every Congress men and women," Sonia said.
Congress to observe Kisan Adhikar Diwas on Oct 31
After the meeting, Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal said the party has decided to launch a series of programmes against the "anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-poor and anti-people" policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre.
"In line with the concerted opposition to the anti-farmer legislations and our committed fight for justice for the rape victim in Hathras, it has been decided to observe the 31st October, i.e. Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and martyrdom day of Indira Gandhi as 'Kisan Adhikar Diwas'," the party said.
As part of the Diwas, the Congress will hold 'Satyagraha and Upwas (fasting)' in every district headquarter between 10 AM to 4 PM against the "anti-farmer and anti-labour laws."
On November 5, the party will observe 'Mahila and Dalit Utpidan Virodhi Divas (Stop Atrocities on Women & Dalits Day) as part of which state level dharnas will be held at every state headquarters between 10 AM to 2 PM. The party will highlight the repeated atrocities across the country against the Dailts, particularly against the Hathras victim and her family, Venugopal said.
As Diwali festival also falls on November 14, i.e. the birthday of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, a symposium on Nehruvian Ideology and nation building' will be held on November 13 at every state headquarters, he said. It was also decided at the meeting that on November 14, a massive online campaign titled 'SpeakUpForPSUs', highlighting the theme self-reliant-India built by Nehru will be launched.
On the anti-farm laws signature campaign, general secretaries and in-charges were instructed to monitor the campaign on the ground level.
The Congress, many other opposition parties and several farmers organisations have been protesting against these farm legislations, claiming these will harm the interests of farmers and benefit corporates, a claim denied by the government. The Centre has asserted that these new laws will be beneficial for farmers and will increase their income.
(With PTI Inputs)
