Address of Smt Sonia Gandhi at Bangalore

Thursday, 15th January 1998

Dharam Singh ji, Oscar Fernandez ji, Mallikarjun Kharge ji, HK Patil ji, SM Krishna ji, Hanumantappa ji Kannada Naadina Bandhugale Makara Sankranthiya Subhashayagalu

I thank You for the warm Welcome you have given me.

Karnataka has always been special to my family. The historic split in the Congress in 1969,which set the new agenda for the Party under Indira Gandhi and made it the Platform of the poor and downtrodden, took place here in Bangalore. How can I forget that when the party lost ground in most states and Indira Gandhi lost her election in 1977, it was Karnataka which incited her and sent her back to Parliament from Chickmangalur in 1978. My husband too launched his political career at the Youth Congress convention in Bangalore.

It is but natural, therefore, that after my pilgrimage to Sriperumbudur four days ago, I should come to this beautiful city, where flowers, sunshine and smiles of friendship make everyone feel at home. It is always inspiring to be in this thriving metropolis which is home not only to some of the great figures from our past, but also to Writers, scientists,artists and other creative people. In recent years, it has acquired international renown, as a centre of scientific and industrial excellence.

The last seven Years have been Years of sorrow and introspection for me. Ever since my husband was assassinated, I have chosen to remain a private person. My grief and loss have been deeply personal. But in these years I have also travelled to different parts of India.and met people from all walks of life. They have shared our grief and offered my children and me their sympathy and support. For this we will always be grateful.

They have also shared with me their concerns and anxieties, about themselves and the future of our country. Like all right thinking people, I have been pained at the growing violence we see around us, the communal divide spurred by religious fundamentalism and the rise of cynical politics which seek to separate people from one another by barriers of religion, caste and region. I am anguished when I witness the exploitation of the poor and disadvantaged, especially women and children who are among the most vulnerable members of our society. Like you, I am deeply disturbed, when I see the future of India and its stability and prosperity, threatened by those who put their narrow, self-interests and ambitions before the interests of the people they should be serving.

The founders of the Congress party and the leaders who were at its helm in the last 50 years all shared a great dream. Above all they wanted:

• To build an India free from poverty, ignorance and disease.
• To build a dynamic economy which would provide work for our youth; food, clothing and homes for our millions.
• To build a compassionate society where health and literacy would be available to all.
• To build a self-confident India, holding its head high in the ranks of the world's nations.
• And to build a just, equitable and harmonious society in which the great diversity of our country would be celebrated and all our rich and varied cultures would co-exist. I believe this is the India we still want for ourselves and our children.

The Congress Party is the only party which can bring these dreams to reality. It is the only truly national party representing the whole country and all its people. It has given India a record we can all be proud of, the institutions we have built, the economic growth we have achieved, our place in the world, democracy itself.

I recognize that we have had our had our share of ups and downs. The Congress Party has had its shortcomings. But it is still the only party which has given the country stable and effective governments. With the right and able leadership, it is the only party which has the experience and capability to give India what it needs most, a stable government which will work without fear or favour, for the benefit of all its citizens. We stand at the threshold of a new millennium. My husband devoted his powerful message lives. The forthcoming elections will determine the direction we will take. Will India continue to move forward towards a just, equitable and progressive society, as he had wanted? Or will it slide backward into an era of mutual distrust, conflict and exploitation?

These elections represent a clash of some fundamental values, ideas and ideals. The choice is between the forces of harmony and progress and those which seek to exploit our differences in order to win Power. Our People are deeply religious. But is it not a complete negation of our values and heritage to convert religion into an instrument of divide? Secularism is nothing more and nothing less than equal respect for all religions. This is the only basis for India's unity and integrity. All religions and all communities have the right to feel secure.

India cannot be a modern and forward looking nation without inculcating in the people a scientific temper. You, in Bangalore and Karnataka have shown how magnificent strides are possible through science-based industry and development. The whole country too must nurture excellence in science and technology and take dynamic initiatives to apply them to benefit social and economic development. We have to mobilize our vast talents and our great pool of human resources to take our country forward keeping especially in mind the needs of the poor and the disadvantaged among our sisters and brothers.

These have been cherished goals of the family of which I became a part when I entered Indira Gandhi's home as her eldest son's bride. It was from my mother-in-law and my husband that I learnt to love and understand India. It was their commitment, their love and compassion for their people, their example which instilled in me the devotion I have for our country. The family to which I belong has made the highest sacrifices for our country. It has always upheld the highest traditions. There are those who would like to belittle its contributions to our great nation. There ate those who would seek to sully its name.

As you all know, my husband was the victim of malicious and slanderous in the Bofors case. Six governments have come and gone-five of them from Opposition parties yet the complete truth has still to be revealed. I have often wondered, why? I say to the authorities concerned-tell us once and for all, the names of those who are involved and by all means take whatever action is required against them.

Let me declare from here to you, and the people of India, that I will be the happiest person the day all Bofors papers are made public, because on that day my husband will be vindicated, because, on that day it will be proved that this campaign was nothing but a vicious attempt to destroy his reputation. In the face of such campaigns, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi stood steadfast to their goals and ideals. I, like them, as a member of their family, will not be deflected from my chosen course of working to help restore the Congress Party to its historic destiny.

I ask you to strengthen our hands by voting for the Congress party. India needs a strong, purposeful and stable government. Only the Congress Party can provide such a government. By voting Congress you will help us realize Rajiv Gandhi's dreams, and ensure that the ideals he laid down his life for continue to inspire the Indian people as they enter the 21st century.

Jai Hind!