New Delhi:
Addressing the 83rd Congress plenary, party president Sonia Gandhi has taken the war to the Opposition's camp. She hit out at the Opposition by saying there can be no tolerance for corruption.
"There should be no tolerance for corruption and we must confront it. We made ministers to resign, can BJP do it?" questioned Sonia. (
Watch: Sonia's full speech)
The party president said Congress Chief Ministers should set an example by giving up discretionary powers in land allocation. This clearly pointed towards BJP's inability to remove Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, who is allegedly involved in land scams.
While asking her party to fight corruption, Sonia Gandhi laid out an elaborate four point anti-corruption plan. She said:
- There is merit in a new system of fast tracking corruption cases including public officials, including politicians. Bring corruption cases to closure within a defined time-frame
- Must ensure through legislation a clear procedure transparency in public supply and contract. Whistleblowers must be protected
- We have ample evidence that all discretionary powers particularly in land distribution breed corruption. Would like all CMs and ministers, to set an example by relinquishing such powers
- Need a competitive system for selling natural resources; has to be pursued with greater urgency
Sonia also defended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and slammed the Opposition for attacking him in the 2G scam.
"The PM is a man of integrity and dignity. The Opposition has made unsavoury, personal attacks on him. I want to say the party is with him and completely supports him," said Sonia.
Speaking on the winter session of the Parliament which went on without even a day of work, as the Opposition kept demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the 2G spectrum scam, Sonia said the Parliament cannot be held hostage to political blackmailing.
She said that Congress needs to stick to its core values and needs to focus on its weaknesses as it is facing many challenges.
"Our party has seen many ups and downs, many challenges. We can look back with pride. It is important for us to introspect the inheritance we have got, how far have we stayed steady on it. We are not here to only celebrate our past. We are here for a new decision of progress," she said.
The Congress president also said there is no difference between majority and minority terror, without mentioning the RSS or its alleged links to terror.
Even Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh spoke out on the Congress' newly coined right-wing extremism, attacking the RSS and accusing Advani of creating a divide between Hindus and Muslims.
"The biggest challenge to the country is RSS and BJP. The way in 1930s, Hitler's Nazi party had targeted Jews, in the same way RSS is targeting Muslims. Even in the army, they have sent their people. In Malegaon blasts, two army officers were caught. Babri Masjid demolition is its biggest taint on history. The terror in the entire country has roots in Advani's Rath Yatra which created divide between Hindus and Muslims," said Digvijaya. (
Watch: Blame Advani for Hindu-Muslim divide, says Digvijaya Singh)
The Congress plenary, in its second day today, is being held at Burari, and leaders from across the country are meeting to brainstorm on the future of the party.
Opposition reacts to Sonia's speech
The BJP has countered Sonia Gandhi's attack. Senior BJP leader LK Advani says it is wrong to equate terror with a religious group. He also said the BJP has spearheaded the entire campaign on corruption and will pursue it. (
Watch: Corruption a serious malady, says Advani)
The left has reacted by saying the Opposition has not held the Parliament to ransom, and the demand for a JPC was reasonable.
"It is wrong to say we blackmailed the government. The Opposition has every right to raise issues, demand JPC, said D Raja, National Secretary, CPI.