Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati has continued her attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi. In two letters written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh from Dharwad Jail on Friday, Ms Bharati requested them not to commit mistakes under "Italian pressure".
Ms Bharati also requested Chief Minister Singh that she be shifted to a normal jail from the guest house in Dharwad, where she has been lodged. "I come from a rural and humble background and, hence, would like to be shifted to a usual prison," she said in a letter to Mr Singh.
In the letter to the Prime Minister, Ms Bharati showered praises on Dr Singh, arguing that she respected his simplicity, intellect, knowledge and modesty, but expressed shock that he had misbehaved with Leader of the Opposition LK Advani. The letter said she was also sad to see Dr Singh expressing gratitude to Ms Gandhi for making him the Prime Minister.
Ms Bharati said the Congress had enhanced its own prestige by making him the Prime Minister and he should not think he was in the office because of Ms Gandhi's mercy. She said she respected him like "Atalji and Advaniji". Ms Bharati also said: "Millions of Indians would have felt hurt watching you on TV expressing gratitude to Ms Gandhi." She was referring to Saturday's AICC meeting at the Talkatora Stadium here.
In the letter to Mr N Dharam Singh, Ms Bharati said she was repeatedly told that the case against her had been withdrawn and added: "I am sure you were under tremendous pressure from someone, whose identity you may not want to disclose." The letter gets shriller in the latter part, with sentences like: "I respect you like an elder brother and, therefore, request you not to yield to Italian pressure."
Saying that "power is to serve, not to take revenge", the letter attacked Ms Gandhi: "I am in jail for unfurling the national flag which the Congress, led by an Italian lady, thinks is a crime.
"There are certain events which history never forgets and forgives and this is one of them." It added: "I don't regret my action, nor do I harbour any grouse against you. But I am really concerned at the mindset of Indians sitting in high places, who forget normal courtesies to please their Italian bosses."
"This reminds me of the days of
the freedom struggle when certain Indians went out of their way to please
their English masters." The letter continued: "Your action of arresting
me and thus pleasing Ms Sonia Gandhi may perhaps strengthen your chief
ministership but coming generations will not forgive you for this crime.
You are insulting the Tricolour, the pride of every Indian, apparently
to please your Italian bosses. May God bestow wisdom upon you."