Sonia Gandhi: Ideological struggle will continue against the forces of divisiveness

In a veiled reference to the RSS and the Modi government, terming them as the “forces that are out to destroy the very idea of India enshrined by the Constitution,” Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi asserted that Congress will continue its ideological struggle against the forces of divisiveness and forces that are out to change the very nature of our society.

She was speaking at an event on Thursday that was organised to mark the 75th birthday of the former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Invoking Rajiv Gandhi’s vision, Sonia said, “In 1984, he (Rajiv Gandhi) won an unprecedented mandate, but did not use that power to create an atmosphere of fear or threaten and scare. Rajiv, as prime minister, did not use his power to trample on divergent views”, she said in her first public address after taking over as the Congress's interim president earlier this month.

She said that the Congress is facing formidable challenges but it must continue with its ideological struggle against divisive forces.

Sonia’s remarks assume significance as they come after senior Congress leader and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI in connection with the INX Media case, with the grand old party accusing the government of using central agencies such as the CBI and the ED as personal “revenge-seeking departments”.

“In 1989, the Congress did not get a majority on its own, so he (Rajiv Gandhi) politely accepted the mandate of the people. I want to tell the present generation that despite (Congress) being the biggest political party at the time, he did not lay claim to power. This was because his inner moral force and honesty did not allow him to do so,” added Sonia.

Addressing the Congress party workers, Sonia asserted that Rajiv’s 75th birth anniversary was not just a ritual being marked by the Congress, but an occasion to remember him, understand what he stood for and espoused.

“It is an occasion for us individually and collectively to reaffirm our resolve to continue to uphold the values that inspired him, to stand up and confront the forces that are determined to destroy those values,” said Sonia Gandhi.

Stating that “electoral ups and downs are inevitable” Sonia asked her party workers to fight against the BJP and RSS, even without naming them.

The event that was held in Indira Gandhi indoor stadium in Delhi was attended by scores of senior Congress leaders, including former PM Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.