Pathankot, May 2
Continuing her efforts to woo the minorities, Ms Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress, in her 20-minute carefully worded speech today eulogised the contribution of Punjabis to the freedom struggle, in bringing about the Green and White Revolutions, apart from safeguarding the country from foreign aggressions.

Addressing her first “jan sampark abhiyan” in Punjab in favour of Congress candidate Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, here today, Ms Gandhi said a secular regime was vital for maintaining communal harmony and integrity of the country, which could be provided by the Congress “At the time of pressing the button of electronic voting machine, you must keep in mind that you will lay the foundation of a stronger India and for the better future of your children by giving votes in favour of Congress candidates”.

Attired in off-white printed sari, Ms Gandhi acknowledged the greetings from the gathering by waving her hands from the dais. Later, throwing security norms to winds, Ms Gandhi tried to intermingle with the people after climbing down from the stage. Earlier, Ms Gandhi sent Ms Ambika Soni to bring Mr Ashwani Kumar and Mr R.L. Bhatia, members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, respectively, who were stopped by the security personnel from reaching the dais.

Ms Gandhi was projected as the future Prime Minister by Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister and Mr H.S. Hanspal, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, in their respective brief speeches .

Lauding the valour of Punjabis, Ms Gandhi said they had been torch-bearers in all fields and had made country self-sufficient in agriculture, apart from making supreme sacrifices during the freedom struggle. She said the country was proud of Punjabis who fought on all fronts to protect the nation from internal and external threats. “Their contribution forms a golden leaf in the Indian history and the countrymen would always remain indebted to them for times to come”.

Expressing her satisfaction on the return of peace and tranquility in Punjab, she said Punjabis had expressed their full faith in forming the party by electing the congress government during the previous assembly elections. Lamenting the ‘anti-people’ policies of the SAD-BJP combine during their five-year rule she said leadership of both the parties had fooled the masses. Now Punjabis had understood that only the Congress could give a clean government, she said.

Firing a salvo at the BJP-led National Democratic Government, Ms Gandhi alleged that instead of giving clean government as promised in the election manifesto it gave birth to scams of all sorts. The scams raged from coffin scandal to Tehelka.

Ridiculing the BJP’s ‘India shining’ slogan, Ms Gandhi claimed that the legendry Congress leaders like Mr Jawaharlal Nehru had laid the foundation for a stronger India. She said the IT revolution and other achievements being claimed by the NDA could not have been possible had previous Congress governments not taken initiatives in this regard. She alleged that during her roadshows in different constituencies of the country, she had gathered that common man in the streets have not derived anything from the good factor.

Reiterating her commitment for giving a secular governance, Ms Gandhi said her party was above the “narrow thinking” and believed that secularism encompassed all religions. Making an oblique reference to the NDA, Ms Sonia Gandhi said some parties form alliances for coming to power only. However, Congress struggle was an ideological battle. “This is our legacy. And this is the legacy of Punjab, too that we are against all types of communalism”, she said .

In a bid to woo the women, Dalits, farmers and traders, Ms Gandhi promised that after the formation of the Congress government in the Centre she would personally serve them by providing clean governance. Ms Gandhi said she knew that Punjabi women were more progressive and would vote for the party which would give them a clean governance.