NEW DELHI: The role of Sonia Gandhi in the power tussle within the Congress party came under sharp f0cus during late Rajiv Gandhi’s death anniversary functions in the Capital. ‘She was at the center of a bid to ‘embarrass the Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, at Vir Bhoomi in the morning and was conspicuously absented late evening “poetic tribute” to late Rajiv Gandhi organized by the AICC.
Workers of the breakaway Congress, group siege’s noisy demonstration and blocked the Prime Minister at the Vir Bhoomi. This happened in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and her daughter, Priyanka, who had to be escorted out by securitymen. Eyewitness accents said that it all began when the Prime Minister arrived at the Vir Bhoomi, Sonia Gandhi did not exchange many words with Rao and got up to head towards Shakti Sthal, the samadhi of Indira Gandhi. ‘The moment Sonia Gandhi got up, workers of the breakaway faction Started Shouting slogans, “assassins of Rajiv Gandhi be hanged, arrest the murders of Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi zindabad,” One supporter took Out a poster and started waving it. Confusion prevailed for little while, security men whisked away Ms. Gandhi. The Prime Minister also decided that it was time he left the place.
The late evening function at the AICC headquarters was attended by Rao and most members of the ruling establishment, including AICC functionaries, were present. The thin attendance of Rajiv loyalists MPs, however, betrayed their confusion. Mani Shankar Aiyer, who was the main organizer, had tried to invite Sonia Gandhi in a bid to give the impression that she was not “unhappy” with the leadership.
However, despite eager anticipation by a section of Congressman and the security men, she did not tum up till the function was over at 10:20 p.m. the time Rajiv Gandhi was assonated.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 26, 1995
