Addressing an election rally in Jalandhar, the United Progress Alliance Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi criticised Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government for surrendering to terrorists (during Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 hostage in Kandhar).
“Unlike the BJP- led NDA government, our party has never surrendered
to terror forces. It was due to our governement’s efforts under the
leadership of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that Pakistan accepted for the first time that Mumbai terror attack was carried out from its own soil. As far as our fight against terrorism is concerned , we don’t need a certificate from anyone,” said Sonia Gandhi.
Later, addressing an election rally in Chandigarh in afternoon, Sonia said that the real issue for the people was development to which her party remained committed and alleged that the opposition was busy racking up emotional issues which had little to do with the ordinary man.
Attacking the BJP, Sonia said the party’s rivals had been “unmasked” and were resorting to levelling allegations as they were bereft of issues.
“They (rivals) have no issue to seek votes. The people have earlier given opportunities to other parties both at the Centre and the states, but the difference is clear to them now. Their mask has fallen off and they have been exposed before the people,” Sonia said addressing an election rally in Chandigarh.
“Those (parties) who have nothing to say have limited the whole thing to levelling charges only,” the Congress chief, clad in a printed green sari, said.
Appealing the voters to keep communal forces away, Sonia said: “Congress is committed to fight these communal forces who are out there to divide the country. We will continue our struggle against these forces till these are weakened and rooted out.”
The last two phases of the ongoing five-phased Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to witness polling on May 7 and 13. Votes for the first three-phases were casted on April 16, 23 and 30.
The ongoing elections are witnessing a bitter war of words between the Congress and BJP, the two main national parties.
Though, irrespective of the results, it is widely speculated that any of the two parties would need regional parties’ support to form the government after the elections. (ANI)