Releasing the Congress manifesto for the coming general elections, Sonia Gandhi not only pitched hard for Manmohan Singh as the next prime minister, but also tried to play down the differences within the United Progressive Alliance. Excerpts from her press conference:
The UPA is crumbling. In Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, major allies have left you. How do you see this situation?
We have decided to fight the elections on our own only after we could not reach an understanding with our partners over the seats. We are not fighting the election with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). But we have forged a pre-poll alliance with Mamataji (Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress). So, we have alliance with parties like the NCP, Trinamool and DMK.
The prime minister has just now termed the Left as a regressive force. After the election, will you take the help of the Left, if required?
This is not really something that I can answer right now. As of now, there is no alliance with the Left.
Will there be a change in the Congress leadership with more young people getting more responsibilities?
Why not?
Recently, we have seen that some leaders like Lalu Prasad, while distancing themselves from your party, are praising you personally. How do you feel about this?
I have not heard any such comment about my party or about me.
L K Advani has recently said that Varun Gandhi’s speech actually is a manifestation of the Congress culture.
I don’t think any sane person, any person who knows the culture of our party, can say this. What Advani has said is totally untrue.
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Now that the SP and even Lalu Prasad have deserted the Congress, is this the end of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)?
It is certainly not the end of the UPA.
In 2004, there was a lot of pressure on you to become the prime minister. Even now, many Congressmen feel you should become the PM. Will you take a call this time?
I had made my position very clear in 2004 and also later. There is not going to be any change in that position.
You have formed an alliance with Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Do you think this is the right time to ask her to come back to the party?
Currently, we are only in a pre-poll alliance with her. There is no change in that position as of now.
Last year, during the trust vote, you opted for the SP’s support instead of the Left. Do you think it was a mistake?
I don’t like to think what has happened in the past. I am looking towards the future.
When will Rahul Gandhi become the PM? After this election?
(Showing the PM’s picture on the manifesto cover) Can you see this? Tell me, can you see this?
Do you see Varun Gandhi’s comments as a blot on the Gandhi family legacy?
The PM has already answered the question. He has replied on behalf of the Congress.
Will you consider becoming the PM this time?
My position remains same. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the Congress party’s candidate for the PM’s post.