Attacking PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi says his govt imposing its ideology

Buxar (Bihar), Oct 17: Accusing Narendra Modi government of trying to impose its ideology on the people, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said communal frenzy is being created, innocents are killed on rumours and intellectuals are targeted under it rule which is threatening the democratic and social fabric of the country.

Addressing an election rally here, she took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his repeated attack on the nearly six-decade-long Congress rule, retorting that her party had zealously strengthened democracy which allowed Modi to become the Prime Minister.

"BJP government is moving away from democratic ideals. It is creating a serious threat for our democracy by imposing its ideology on the people. Communal tension is being created.

"Innocents are being killed on the basis of rumours. The way intellectuals are being attacked, they are being denied freedom to express their views. It is trying to weaken the foundation of social harmony. It is not just sad but also shameful," she said in a reference to the Dadri lynching incident and the targeting of intellectuals.

Gandhi also hit out at Modi for "failing" to fulfill the promises made by him to the public, especially with regard to farmers, women and youth.

She also attacked the PM over rising prices of essential commodities including vegetables and pulses that had made the life of common people difficult.

Gandhi said Modi had repeatedly said that "what has Congress done in last 60 years, that Congress has not done anything. "I want to tell you all this especially to the youth that there was a time that due to colonial rule, there was nothing left in the country.

In the last sixty years, the Congress party has ushered revolutionary changes in education, health, agriculture, industry as well as nuclear and other areas.

"It protected the unity, integrity and the legacy of the country. The party took the country on the path of progress and protected the social fabric for which it sacrificed its leaders.

"We made the democracy strong because of which Modi today could become the Prime Minister. Has all this been done in last one-and-a half years. If you cannot see the progress brought by the Congress, then whose fault is it.

It is yours." The five-phased Bihar assembly poll is underway and polling for the third phase of election for 50 seats will be held on October 28.

PTI