National

'BJP Has Stooped To Malicious Lows'

P. Shiv Shankar, CWC member and a key figure in Sonia Gandhi's inner circle, is confident that the BJP's smear campaign — dubbing the Congress president an Italian-born 'foreigner'— will not go down well with the electorate. In an interview, Shiv Sha

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'BJP Has Stooped To Malicious Lows'
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Has the BJP latched on to an issue that will dent Congress efforts to project Sonia as prime minister?

It is being deliberately done. If this argument is developed further it will have disastrous consequences. Besides, if this convoluted logic was taken to its logical end, then no Indian who has migrated to the US or UK and become a citizen could stand for elections, nor could a Japanese become the premier of Peru. It’s ridiculous. Their ploy exposes their narrow mindedness and is a crude attempt to contain her popularity. This dubious device will not tarnish Sonia’s image; the electorate  will call the BJP’s bluff. They (BJP) have got down to the lowest levels.

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What is the Congress strategy to counter this campaign?

We have gradually evolved an effective offensive. Our PCCs have been briefed to tackle this propaganda. Her family has made sacrifices for India — first Indira and then Rajiv. More over, Sonia adopted India 30 years back, is a citizen and is very much part of the country’s culture and ethos. She answers every description of a citizen as per Indian law. Having married into an Indian home, she becomes the daughter-in-law, which is accorded a unique position. Can you then call her an outsider?

Why do you think this foreigner bogey is being raised now?

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In the last election, where she had only campaigned for the party, the voices were muted. Now that she’s being projected as a prime ministerial candidate, the BJP has stooped to ridiculous, malicious depths.

Are you sure this campaign will have no takers?

It might cut ice with the urban conservatives — the urban fundamentalists, who have money. It won’t have any effect on the rural electorate. A month back when she addressed a rally in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh, over 4 lakh people showed up. I disguised myself and mingled with the crowd. When I asked a group of farmers why  they had come to the rally, they said: "We want to see Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law!"

Is Vajpayee also leading this campaign?

He may not have said anything personally, but his cohorts have. Acquiescence is sufficent proof of guilt. He has not stopped his party from raising these sloans. It shows the party is bereft of issues and has resorted to crass emotionalism.

Has Sonia been personally hurt by this campaign?

No, not at all. She will display her characteristic style in dealing with this vicious campaign. And let me tell you, just as Indira Gandhi swept the polls in ’78, so will Sonia. If these dangerous trends are not stopped at the appropriate time, it will lead to the Balkanisation of India.

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