The Hindu : People told to defeat `fundamentalist' forces

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 19, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

People told to defeat `fundamentalist' forces

By Our Staff Correspondent

BUNTWAL, JAN. 18. Leaders of the Congress have given a call to people to defeat what they termed designs of fundamentalist parties to divide society on communal lines and help secular and nationalist forces to come to the fore.

Addressing a joint meeting of the party workers of Buntwal and Vittla Assembly constituencies here on Saturday, the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), B. Janardhan Poojary, appealed to people not to be misled by the "temporary show of solidarity on the basis of caste, creed and religion", which, he said, was one of the ploys of fundamentalist parties. True nationalism was in fighting together for the country and not creating divisions internally on the basis of caste and religion, he added.

The Congress had proved it during the freedom struggle when people from all walks of life worked under its leadership to achieve Independence.

Today, the same spirit had to be instilled in people for defeating fundamentalist forces, Mr. Poojary said.

He said Congressmen had laid down their lives for the nation. Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi had all been the targets of fundamentalists and separatist forces, he said and added that the time had come for the people of the country to reiterate their commitment to secularism.

Stressing on the role of women in reinstating secular parties at the centre, Mr. Poojary said women played a major role in keeping the family, society, and the nation together. More than 50 per cent of the country's population comprised women and their decision was vital, he added.

Earlier, the former Chief Minister, M. Veerappa Moily, said what the country needed was more employment opportunities, social security, food security, and welfare schemes to uplift the poor.

But the sops and mini-budget announced by the Centre would benefit only the elite.

The Congress had always been a pro-people's party right from its inception.

The party, under the leadership of Mr. Poojary and the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, at the State level and the All India Congress Committee President, Sonia Gandhi, at the national level, was likely to make a comeback, he said.

The Transport Minister, B. Ramanath Rai, said the State had surged ahead under the Congress rule in all sectors, mainly in housing, transport, women empowerment, social justice, employment generation, and agriculture. Steps had been taken for poverty alleviation and drought relief, he said.

The MLC and District Congress Committee President, Blasius M. D'Souza, Vinayakumar Sorake, MP, and Manjunath Bhandary and Prem Kumar, general secretaries of the KPCC, were present.

Mr. Poojary distributed saris and foodgrains to the poor people living in the area.

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