Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday focussed on the politics of development practiced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and warned Mumbaikars against divisive forces that may try to sabotage the state’s growth. Speaking at a rally in the MMRDA grounds, Bandra, Sonia pledged the Centre’s support to transform Mumbai into an international financial hub with infrastructure projects like 13 water transport schemes, the metro rail and the Navi Mumbai airport.
“Like the deep sea, Mumbai has a large heart,” Sonia said. “People from every corner of the country feel Mumbai is their home. It causes immense pain to hear some sections evoking regional fanaticism to divide people. But Mumbai has always displayed the rich culture of embracing people from all sections, which is also a Congress legacy. It is a huge bouquet which accommodates a variety of flowers. Every flower is beautiful and precious.” The massive crowd — with a sizeable number of minorities and dalits who had waited three hours for Sonia — broke into spontaneous applause.
Sonia’s focus on a Mumbai makeover shows the Congress’ anguish at having to fend off competition from the Sena-BJP combine, MNS and Third Front. She knows that whoever wins the 36 seats in Mumbai and 24 in Thane, will decide the fate of the state.
Sonia said: “There is no doubt that Mumbai is driving the engine of the Indian economy. Whether it is Mumbai or Maharashtra, it has contributed immensely to the development of the entire country.”
The rally saw NCP leaders Praful Patel and Tariq Anwar sharing the dais, and marked the culmination of Sonia’s campaign in Maharashtra. In her 12-minute speech, she chose not to address personal jibes. “Like the UPA government, the Congress-NCP coalition has provided good governance in the last five years. But we will have to continue our struggle to attain development across the state,” she added.
