The Hindu : Front Page : India capable of giving fitting reply: Sonia

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Monday, Dec 22, 2008
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India capable of giving fitting reply: Sonia

Shujaat Bukhari

DEBLAHER (R.S. PURA): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday asked Pakistan to put the brakes on the elements using its soil against India and said “otherwise we have capacity to give befitting reply.”

Addressing an election rally here, just a few km from the International Border with Pakistan, Ms. Gandhi said it had been India’s endeavour to have good relations with neighbours. “But our aspirations were not respected and our desire for having peace should not be treated as our weakness.” She asked Islamabad to come heavily on those who had been attacking India. “If that does not happen, we have the capability to give a befitting reply,” she said amid a thunderous response from the gathering.

Describing Jammu and Kashmir as heart of India, the United Progressive Alliance chairperson said the Congress-led government had been making every effort to have peace in the country and wanted to have good relations with its neighbours. Ms. Gandhi said the coalition government did a tremendous job in the State and it was backed by the strong initiatives taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the shape of three round table conferences. Five working groups were formed and four had given their reports and the process of implementation was on.

Dig at Advani

Taking a dig at senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, who had criticised the Congress on Saturday, Ms. Gandhi said her party neither instigated people nor played with their sentiments. “I ask them [the BJP and the National Conference] what they did when they were in power.” Ms Gandhi listed the achievements of her party during the coalition rule. She complimented the people of the State for having reposed their faith in democracy by coming out in large numbers.

Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz asked the people to reject the negative politics of those who intended to divide the people.

The former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said his government had the record of eliminating militancy from the State.

The Congress is facing a tough contest in 13 Assembly segments, which go to polls on December 24.

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