‘Congress fight ideological, not personal’

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday blamed the Modi government for promoting and provoking communal fires in Uttar Pradesh and across the country.

Mr Azad said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had never scolded or punished any of his MPs or ministers who had been issuing highly provocative statements which clearly indicated the government’s complicity in the matter.

Mr Azad, who was on his first visit to Lucknow after being appointed in charge of UP affairs, said that the most dangerous game in politics was communalism and the Congress would have to increase its strength to fight against divisive forces. He said that while addressing meeting of party leaders and workers earlier in the day, he had asked them to beware of conspiracies in the state in the next six months and also be ready to face new challenges.

The Congress leader said that the Congress was not locked in a personal battle with anyone.

“Our fight is ideological — it is secularism versus communalism and we are ready to sacrifice anything to preserve the secular character if the country,” he said.

Replying to a question on the possibility of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading the campaign in UP, the Congress leader said that it would benefit the party if she agreed to campaign outside Amethi and Rae Bareli.

“But Sonia Gandhi is our president and Rahul Gandhi is the vice-president, who will take over the party at the appropriate time,” he stated.

Mr Azad, however, refused to disclose the Congress roadmap for its revival in UP.

“I am not going to reveal my strategy before you but I can say that, this time, Congress’ revival will be from UP. I am well aware of the history and geography of this state and have done my homework,” he said.

He said that the party would present its chief ministerial candidate at the appropriate time and added that there was no scarcity of leaders in the party.

“But the Congress does not select leaders on the basis of their caste but it is the capability and leadership quality that counts,” he added.