Smt. Sonia Gandhi renouncing the prime ministership

Prashant Solomon

Posted on May 19, 2004

The results of the recently held Lok Sabha elections were a mandate for Smt. Sonia Gandhi and the secular alliance that she led. It was a mandate that was also against the communalist divisive forces led by the Bharatiya Janta Party. The people spoke, the verdict came and then the real story started. For the first time in the history of Indian democracy, or perhaps even in the history of democracy itself, a leader elected by the people renounced the highest political position in the land responding to the call of an "inner voice". It was politics in its purest form. It was politics for what politics was meant to be - a calling, a sacrifice and not just a greedy quest for power.

The decision of Smt. Gandhi was a shocking one and could even be called a bit of a disappointment to many, but in the thick book of history, this will be remembered as an act of true "dharma" or true "duty" and true "Indianness". This Indianness that I speak of is not the garish "India Shining" of the BJP government; this is the Indianness of nobility, sacrifice and unselfishness. This is the "dharma" of putting the interests of the nation above the interests of self gratification. Smt. Gandhi has taken away from the BJP, RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, Sushma Swaraj and George Fernandes their much harped about "foreign origin" issue in more ways than one. For Smt. Sonia Gandhi has shown them all that she is not a "foreigner" hungry for power, that she is not a venom spewing human being like Swaraj, Uma Bharti, Fernandes and the likes, but also that by her act of sacrifice, she is a much more shining example of "Bharatatva" or "Indianness" than they are.

How many of these so-called leaders would have renounced the prime ministership? She had the prime ministership in her hands, but instead of trapping it inside her own hands; she followed the voice of her conscience and released the prime ministership into the hands that she felt it should be in. Today, not just the members of Congress party, not just Indians, but I am sure people from all around the world salute Smt. Sonia Gandhi and look up to her as an ideal example of duty above self. Congress members may be sad that she is not going to be the Prime Minister, but they should rejoice at the fact, that she will continue as the president of the Indian National Congress and strengthen the party even more. With a stronger Congress party, the forces of secularism will also become stronger.

As Smt. Gandhi said in her historic address to the Congress Parliamentary Party on May 18, 2004:, "We have waged a successful battle. But we have not won the war. That is a long and arduous struggle, and I will continue it with full determination." She is with us and not going anywhere. There are other battles to be fought and a war against communalism to be won.

I salute you, Smt. Gandhi!

Full text of Smt. Sonia Gandhi's speech to the Congress Parliamentary Party (May 18, 2004)

Friends, Throughout these past six years that I have been in politics, one thing has been clear to me. And that is, as I have often stated, that the post of prime minister is not my aim. I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position that I am in today, I would follow my own inner voice.

Today, that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post. You have unanimously elected me your leader, in doing so, you have reposed your faith in me. It is this faith that has placed me under tremendous pressure to reconsider my decision. Yet, I must abide by the principles which have guided me all along.

Power in itself has never attracted me, nor has position been my goal. My aim has always been to defend the secular foundation of our nation and the poor of our country - the creed sacred to Indira ji and Rajiv ji. We have moved forward a significant step towards this goal. We have waged a successful battle. But we have not won the war. That is a long and arduous struggle, and I will continue it with full determination.

But I appeal to you to understand the force of my conviction. I request you to accept my decision and to recognise that I will not reverse it. Our foremost responsibility at this critical time is to provide India with a secular government that is strong and stable.

Friends, you have given me your generous support; you have struggled against all odds with me. As one of you and as president of the Congress party, I pledge myself to work with you and for the country. My resolve will in fact be all the more firm, to fight for our principles, for our vision, and for our ideals.