Ahead of the elections to Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi, the Congress leadership has launched a direct attack on the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a function organised by the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee on the 125th birth anniversary of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru here on Thursday, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP Government of deviating from the basic foundations of the country, such as secularism and brotherhood. “Today, attempts are being made to change the basic tenets of the Nehruvian principles. Those who want to change these principles are attacking the vision and ideology of Nehru. He worked to build a secular, progressive and liberal India,” she said.
She urged the Congress workers to fight all "such ideologies, institutions and individuals" who want to demolish Nehru's concepts.
Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi admitted the Congress is facing one of its most difficult periods, but sought to boost the morale of its rank and file exhorting them to be united and fight the communal forces.
Rahul said the Congress believed in love and brotherhood. "Even when we fought the British, we did it with love. We never wavered from the message of love and brotherhood. We were beaten up, but we never got angry....The country today, on the other hand, is run by people who nurture anger...," he said.
"Today the very foundation of our country built on love and brotherhood is being weakened. This country is our home. One one hand, the home is being spruced up. Roads are being cleaned. Everybody is getting a photo opportunity and on the other hand poison is being spread. The foundation (of this country) is being weakened.
"Only the Congress party can fight them. Only love can overcome anger and hatred. And the only one organisation which believes in love and brotherhood and is inclusive is the Congress." Rahul said the Congress party had committed mistakes but has not wavered on its ideology and ideals.
"When the foundations get weakend, the nation's enemies benefit from it....The more united we are, the faster the country will move forward," he said.