Sonia ignores PVNR, says Rajiv scripted economic reforms

NEW DELHI: Sonia Gandhi praised contributions of all Congress prime ministers except P V Narasimha Rao in her speech Monday during the foundation stone-laying function of the Congress headquarters in Delhi to mark 125 years of the party's formation.

Making no mention of Rao in her 15-minute speech, she said Rajiv Gandhi scripted the course of economic policies that were followed by the government (headed by Rao) for the following five years.

"Rajiv did not stay with us to see his dreams being realised but we can see his stamp in the party manifesto for 1991 elections. That became the basis for economic policies for the next five years. These policies gave a new direction and strength to our economy and our society," she said.

Manmohan Singh was finance minister in the Rao government that was in office from 1991 and 1996 and who is credited with initiating the path-breaking reforms with the backing of Rao.

Sonia Gandhi said the party passed through a difficult phase in the mid-nineties and questions were raised even on the ability of the party to survive. "But we moved ahead without compromising our core beliefs and crossed difficult hurdles. We got a favourable verdict in the 2004 and 2009 general elections through our dedication and hard work," she said.

While Rao did not find a mention in her speech, Sonia Gandhi praised all other Congress prime ministers including Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.

Congress leaders rarely make a mention of Rao who was the prime minister when the Babri mosque was demolished on Dec 6, 1992. The party lost its support base among minorities in Uttar Pradesh after the mosque demolition and was able to put up a good show in the state only in the 2009 general elections when it won 21 seats.

During the debate in parliament on the Liberhan commission report relating to the Ayodhya dispute, the Left and Samajwadi Party had blamed the Rao government for not doing enough to prevent the demolition of the Babri mosque.