Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: December 5, 2012
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/113424-swaraj-ties-sonia-up-in-knots.html

The debate saw a rare engagement between Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi — the two leaders who had fought against each other from Bellary (Karnataka) in 1999.

 Swaraj used the opportunity to taunt Gandhi, who was present on the front row of the treasury bench, on her statement that the fastest pace of development has been witnessed during the UPA-II Government. “Yes. It is a true statement,” Sonia replied.

 Swaraj was quick to retort, “I was surprised. I wondered what she (Gandhi) is saying. I must tell you what was wrong in your statement. In the last 60 years — between 1952 and 2012 — this country has been ruled by the Congress for 50 years. Were you challenging your grandfather-in-law (Jawahar Lal Nehru) or mother-in-law (Indira Gandhi) or husband (Rajiv Gandhi)?”

 Swaraj did not stop here. As Gandhi was seen nodding her head in disagreement, Swaraj fired another shot. “We were in power for just six years. The Nehru-Gandhi family ran this country for 30 out of 50 years of Congress rule. Were you targeting your own relatives? Has Manmohan Singh attained a stature higher than Nehru, Indira and Rajiv?”

 A visibly embarrassed Sonia was heard saying, “No”.

 Perhaps, the first barbs against Gandhi by a leader inside the house emboldened even SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. “You have Gandhi surname. Your husband (Rajiv) had Gandhi surname. You should at least not deviate from the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, who was opposed to foreign products,” Yadav told Gandhi.

 Yadav even did not leave anyone in doubt about his Prime Ministerial ambitions. “Congress wants the BJP to come to power. BJP wants the Congress to replace it. There is no scope for third (front). I think there is no scope for us,” Yadav said.