Congress to retain 'aam aadmi' focus

Linking the two main points of the Congress agenda — economic growth and fight against divisive forces, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today defined the theme for the party’s 2009 election campaign. “Social harmony and economic growth are the two sides of the same coin. A divided India cannot progress,” she said launching the party’s Lok Sabha campaign at the capital’s Ram Lila ground, from the dais of the National Convention of Block and District Congress Committee presidents.

As the party braces itself to face polls amidst the adverse impact of the global economic crisis, Gandhi today emphasised on the need of a cautious approach in pursuing economic growth. “Balance is the key in whatever we need to do for economic growth. Balance between private and public sector, between tradition and modern approach, and between villages and cities,” she said.

A day after the BJP resorted to its pet agenda of building Ram Mandir at its national executive meet at Nagpur, Gandhi questioned the BJP’s abilities to run the nation at this crucial time. Referring to the recent attacks on women, Gandhi said, “The parties which have an agenda to divide the society, refuse to accept our diversity; parties which intrude into personal lives and suffocate, mobilise people on the basis of religion, and often chant the name of Lord Ram to confuse people, can't be effective weapons in fighting terrorism.”

The Congress projected the belief that only a united society can tackle all forms of terrorism. “Only that party can fight against terror that has the support from all sections of the society. And the Congress is the only party of this kind. We have lost two leaders to terrorists, we don't need any certificate from others,” she said.

“Five years ago, we sought people’s mandate to make the concerns of the ‘aam aadmi’ the overriding focus of our economic policies. Now we seek the mandate to expand our programmes in employment, education, health, nutrition, social security, housing and water supply,” she said. Party sources believe this also carries a signal about the focus areas of the upcoming Interim Budget.