Sonia Gandhi attacks Modi Govt; says “We won’t let them come back”

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a direct attack against the Modi government, alleging that freedom of the people was "under systematic and sustained assault" as provocative statements from the ruling establishment were neither random nor accidental but "part of a dangerous design".

Delivering the keynote address at the India Today Conclave 2018 here, the former Congress President condemned attempts to rewrite history, falsifying facts and attacking nation builders. "Our society, our freedom all are now under systematic and sustained assault. Make no mistake about it. This is a well sort out project long in the making to refashion the very idea of India," Gandhi said. "The freedom to think for oneself and differ and degree and to meet or marry according to ones wishes, all this and more are under attack.

"Provocative statements from the ruling establishment are not random or accidental. They are part of a dangerous design," she said and added that vigilante mobs and private armies have been let loose with state patronage.

She said callous remarks were being made about changing the Constitution of the country that "point to a deliberate attempt to subvert the very essence of India".

She asserted that it was not in her nature to be a "voice of gloom and doom but we need to see things the way they are". "The evidence of this new and deeply troubling direction is there for everyone to see. Fear and intimidation are the order of the day, alternative voices are being silenced. In far too many cases through violence and even murder."

She spoke about the violence against Dalits and minorities saying there was "shocking insensitivity to atrocities on Dalits". "Society has been polarised with an eye for winning elections. Religious tensions are being fueled."

Gandhi also took a dig at Modi for his frequent coining of acronyms in the name schemes and government programmes. "We need to move fast, but FAST cannot stand for First Act, Second Think. Acronymising can be contagious," she said, to laughter from the audience.

Speaking about her own role in leadership after Congress came to power in 2004, she said that she knew Manmohan Singh would be a better prime minister than her, and that she was aware of her limitations. "Public speaking does not come naturally to me, that is why I was called a reader [rather] than a leader," the Congress leader said.

"India is a great country, a wonderful country, let us protect it, cherish it," Gandhi said, ending her speech to a loud applause.

This is the first time Gandhi has opened up since relinquishing the party president’s post to her son Rahul last December after internal party elections.

(With PTI inputs)