Sonia makes 3 min television appeal, says BJP will ruin 'Bharatiyata'
Congress president Sonia Gandhi made a rare television appearance urging electorate to snub "divisive and autocratic" forces that would damage the country's "Bharatiyata" and "Hindustaniyat".
Speaking in Hindi and without taking any names, Gandhi said, “Congress is fighting this election to protect the very heart and soul of India from those who sought to change it and divide the people of the country”.
“We want unity. They want to impose uniformity. They say, ‘Just believe in me’… Their vision, clouded with hatred and falsehood, their ideology, divisive and autocratic, will drive us to the ruination of our Bharatiyata, our Hindustaniyat,” she added.
She also praised Indians for preserving certain core beliefs and values that have united varied people into one nation. “Today I want to share with you what is in my heart, what makes me proud to be Indian, as each of you is a proud Indian. Our India is founded on certain core beliefs and values. It is these basic beliefs that have united all of us, diverse people, into one nation. I learnt these from you, as you made me one of your own,” said Sonia.
Gandhi's appeal in the form of a short televised speech in multiple channels was made both in Hindi and English.
It was said to be telecast as an advertisment by the TV channels. Gandhi appealed to each voter to think from their heart and decide what direction, what path they want the country to take.
She said that living with feelings for each other across religions, castes, communities, regions, languages, is what makes India a strong nation.
Unlike BJP's strategy, Gandhi said the Congress approch was, Believe in our intentions, in our achievements: a high rate of growth, inclusive development, strong democratic institutions.
Today, our society stands at a cross-roads. The Congress ideology and vision, will continue to take us towards a healthy, free democracy open to the light of change and transformation, she added.
She began her appeal speaking of what made her proud to be Indian, as each of you is a proud Indian.
Our India is founded on certain core beliefs and values. It is these basic beliefs that have united all of us, diverse people, into one nation. I learnt these from you, as you made me one of your own.
"This kind of fake emotional appeal...an appeal of desperation because the ground is slipping beneath Sonia Gandhi and Congress", BJP leader Ravi Shanker Prasad said commenting on her appeal telecast by several TV channels.
Prasad said the coming "election is being on the issues of mal-governance, on the issue of stinking corruption, on rising unemployment, spiralling prices and on the issue of legacy of suffering of India, an unsecure India".
"Sonia Gandhi has no answer to all these burning problems of the day with which Indians are distressed, agonized and deeply pained. Therefore, this kind of fake emotional appeal", he said. "What type of harmony are you (Gandhi) talking about? Calling Imam Bukhari to your residence and making an appeal to unite all the Muslims?" Prasad said adding "even Muslims are suffering from unemployment and price rise. Therefore, I see all this nothing but an appeal of desperation because the ground is slipping beneath Sonia Gandhi and Congress", he said.
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