BS Reporter / Dehra Dun/New Delhi Nov 10, 2011, 00:35 IST
Congress party president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday rapped social activist Anna Hazare without taking any names, in a speech read out on her behalf at Gauchar in the hilly Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
She was to have come in person to inaugurate her party’s poll campaign, but could not do so due to fever. It would have been her first public rally after undergoing surgery in America some time earlier for an undisclosed ailment.
In her speech, she attacked Hazare’s group for making a lot of sound on a Lok Pal legislation when the government had already publicly committed to bring an effective and strong Bill.
“Corruption cannot be eradicated by merely making speeches or by pointing a finger at others,” she said. "Everyone needs to look within... You cannot eradicate corruption like this, that one thinks corruption by us is a holy affair, while that by others amounts to corruption," she said in an obvious reference to Team Anna, some of whose members are facing allegations of financial misconduct.
Far from the conciliatory stand that Gandhi has had in the past regarding Hazare, her speech on Wednesday was combative. “The bill will be presented in Parliament and we will implement it. Then why this hue and cry?” she asked.
Putting on record the origin of the Lokpal bill, she said it was first broached by her and the National Advisory Council she heads. On rising prices, Gandhi said, “It is hitting the common man hard and the government must take steps that provide relief” but stressed that “it can happen only with the support of both the central and state governments”.
Besides addressing the rally, she had been scheduled to unveil the foundation stone of a 125-km Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line. She sent defence minister A K Antony as her representative. Railway minister Dinesh Trivedi was present.
Dear Editor,
Anna Hazare must get exonerated from all the allegations that he is a victim of right reactionaries who want India to be disintegrated in to caste, creed and code,let him enter politics and fight congress with out Gandhi cap,then people will believe in whatever camp he is.Congress which adores true Gandhians like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi,Rajiv Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru can not believe Anna Hazare who opposes reservation policies
Even when she is ill, she doesn't draw any sympathy due to such frivilous staements. Whole of the country knows what the tructh is. She is a disgust beyond par...You will reak in hell pretty soon...
sorry did i read it right.. NAC coming up with LokPal bill..when? after all the money has been looted by your coaliation partners and yours too dont give us the BS ms gandhi & regarding implementation read your own party members comments then tell us otherwise shutup as you had been before
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