In what could be construed as a repartee to demands for projecting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the leader by a section in the Congress party, former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, observed here on Monday that focus should be on “strengthening the ideological base of the party rather than the personality base”.
Speaking to The Hindu after she addressed a press conference at the residence of Social Welfare Minister, H. Anjaneya, Ms. Kumar made that comment to a pointed question seeking her views on suggestions to project Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the leader of the party.
Ms. Kumar also added that the voter-base of the Congress party needs to be rejuvenated and said ‘We have to bring back our programmes in a more meaningful manner’.
Karnataka was a strong Congress citadel, she pointed out and claimed that Congress has won the trust of the oppressed, minority, economically and educationally weaker sections and backward classes since Independence.
She was also categorical in her support to the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, who she described as ‘capable and sensible towards the Dalit cause in the State’ when replying to a question at the press conference on whether a Dalit could become the Chief Minister of the State. The welfare of the Dalits, security concerns, human rights and dignity must be ensured whether a Chief Minister was a Dalit or a non-Dalit.
However, the issue of a Dalit donning the mantle would arise only if there was a vacancy, Ms. Kumar noted. There have always been debates on making a Dalit as the Prime Minister of the country or the Chief Minister of a State, she added.
The Congress government in Karnataka had ushered in a ‘path-breaking’ legislation by bringing the Special Component Plan for the welfare of the downtrodden under which funds allocated should be used only for the betterment of their lives, Ms. Kumar noted. Mr. Siddaramaiah arrived at the venue to greet her and exchange pleasantries in the morning.
