The Hindu : Front Page : “People have tried other parties and now they are coming back to Congress”

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Thursday, May 07, 2009
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“People have tried other parties and now they are coming back to Congress”

The effect of Rahul Gandhi can definitely be felt

SHEILA DIKSHIT

The only woman Chief Minister of the country elected to the post for three consecutive terms, Sheila Dikshit has emerged as the “poster woman” of the Congress in this Lok Sabha election. She was one of the party’s star campaigners, visiting several States where she put out the message that elections were more about good governance than anything else. With 10 years of experience as Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Dikshit is confident that the Congress will emerge as the single largest party and form the Government at the Centre. She also believes that by bowing to Sikh protests that led to change of two Congress candidates in Delhi, the Congress turned the situation to its advantage.

She met up with GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR.

The Congress recently won the third consecutive Assembly election in Delhi on its development plank. Do you think the performance of the Delhi government is also an election issue?

The performance of the Delhi government is also playing its role in these elections. The Congress was recently elected for the third time in Delhi on its performance and this is a good sign and a positive thing for us.

But the Lok Sabha elections are mainly being fought on national issues. We are now telling the people that they should also elect a Congress government at the Centre to ensure continuity of the good work the UPA government had done in the past five years.

Do you think the people of Delhi will vote in a similar fashion?

The people of Delhi are wise and understanding. Governance is way above caste and community. The future of any society depends on good governance. People voted for us last year and I hope people will apply the same logic in the Lok Sabha elections. It is equally important to have a responsive government at the Centre as well.

You have been a star campaigner for the Congress. How many States did you tour and how many election meetings did you address there?

I must have done between 30 and 40 meetings in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. I would have also toured Gujarat and Rajasthan but for a knee injury.

What issues are you raising in your meetings?

I have been speaking about the five years of UPA rule at the Centre and how the nuclear deal, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission have helped the masses. Also, the country has witnessed an average 8.5 per cent economic growth, and there has been a commitment to deal with terror. At the same time we are careful in dealing with Pakistan. It is in our interest to have a Pakistan that is peaceful and stable. But terrorism will not be tolerated.

What about the issue of giving tickets to the 1984 riots accused and later withdrawing them following protests? Has that harmed the Congress?

On the contrary, it will have a good impact. We have respected the people’s view and this will have a positive impact for the party in Delhi and Punjab. I do not think that the change of candidates will harm the party.

How has the response of the people been to the Congress campaign?

This time the response has been wonderful everywhere, it is much better than last time and there is also nostalgia for the Congress. People have tried other parties in the past and now they are coming back to the Congress.

How has Rahul Gandhi impacted the elections? Is contesting more seats helping the Congress in U.P. and Bihar?

The effect of Rahul Gandhi can definitely be felt. His measured words and style of working is impressing people in a big way. The party is doing much better in these two States and there is a lot of nostalgia among the people there.

I am sure we will emerge as the single largest party and form the government at the Centre.

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