Practitioners of politics of hatred can't take away ideology: Sonia

Indirectly attacking the BJP, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said the practitioners of "politics of hatred" may have deprived her party of political power, but they can't take away from it the ideology that unites India.

Her statement was in the context of the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in Assam, ending 15 years of Congress rule.

"People practicing the politics of hatred may have deprived us of power, but they can't snatch the ideology of Rajiv Gandhi that had united everybody," Sonia said, speaking at an event organised by the Indian Youth Congress to mark the 25th death anniversary of her husband.

"Rajiv Gandhi did a lot and took many significant steps for ensuring peace in Assam, Mizoram and Darjeeling. He had viewed India as a front runner in the world economics," Gandhi said of her husband.

Rajiv Gandhi had brought the information technology revolution and gave the power of voting to 18-year-olds, she said.

"Changes in politics and society that we boast of today were initiated by Rajiv Gandhi who wanted to transform the lives of the poor by means of science and technology," Sonia said.

"Rajiv is not there today, but he will always reside within us. The steps taken by him have helped India raise its head high," she added.

During the day, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visited Rajiv Gandhi's memorial 'Veer Bhumi' here to pay tributes to the late leader.

Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to his father through a series of tweets and talked of adhering to his values while facing struggle and hardships.

"Remembering Rajiv ji today, he touched the lives of so many as a leader, as a friend & above all as a good human being. As a father he taught me that no matter how full of struggle & hardships the path ahead. The values that we hold dear -- the values of truth, freedom, equality & justice, are worth fighting for," he said.

--IANS

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