Hysteria over Sonia decision spreads across the country

MANDATE 2004

Braving the scorching sun, thousands of young and old frenzied Congress activists staged demonstrations, sit-ins and fasts-unto-death today in front of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's residence here imploring her to lead the nation and reconsider her decision not to become the country's Prime Minister.

"East or west, Sonia is the best; Sonia nahin to koi nahin (If not Sonia, nobody else)," they shouted and any word even remotely suggesting that she will not be leader was treated as nothing short of "treason".

No amount of coaxing by leaders, including Delhi MLA Jai Kishan, could stop the enraged activists who shouted down and tried to rough up a television journalist as he reported "speculation" about Manmohan Singh occupying the top post. They did not even spare party leader Mani Shankar Aiyer.

Venting their anger against BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharati and Govindacharya, who had threatened a stir against her on the foreign origin issue, the workers beat up their effigies and burnt them.

Nine-year-old Sadhana Bharati, known for her fiery speeches, was among those sitting on fast, evoking the sympathy of party workers, who had trooped in from across the country including Bihar and even the Congress chief's home constituency of Rae Bareilly.

The cameras did provoke the protesters to become louder at times, but for 80-year-old Charan Das, it was irrelevant.

"She is good, I know she does not have any greed for power," said the frail looking man as he stood in one corner holding a party flag.

About 13 party leaders, including former MP Satyajit Gaekwad and AICC Secretary R P N Singh, staged a sit-in at the gate leading to Gandhi's residence.

"We have voted for her, people have immense faith in her abilities, we do not want any other person to become PM," said Abdul Qayyum, a Faridabad resident, as some Haryana Congressmen even shouted slogans saying, "We don't want Manmohan Singh."

Party General Secretary Ambika Soni was loudly cheered when she told the agitators that the party MPs would quit if Gandhi does not become the prime minister.

NSUI, Mahila Morcha and members of the party's different state units including Bihar squatted on pavements on both side of the road.

To assure the workers of the full backing of the leadership, senior leader Oscar Fernandes went around meeting the protesters, including some who were on a fast-unto-death.

Though some party workers were distributing packaged water to quench the thirst of the protesters, vendors selling soft drinks and mineral water did brisk business.

After yesterday's incident of a former MP brandishing his revolver and threatening to commit suicide, police frisked each and every person entering Akbar Road.