India capable of combating terrorism: Sonia

UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who has virtually sounded the bugle for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, addressing a mammoth public rally in the Silvasa, the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, on Wednesday said that India is ready enough to give a befitting reply to those neighbours involved in weakening our country.

Although she did not mention the name of any neighbouring country, the indication was quite obvious— Pakistan. In a veiled warning to Pakistan, Ms Gandhi said that our neighbouring country must not undermine India’s capability to combat menace as India is determined to quell it.

Calling on people to remain united, the Congress president said, terrorism is a big challenge for us but we together will win the war against terrorism.

“India’s identity in the world is that of ‘unity in diversity’ as people of various religions and communities live here in harmony. Our neighbours want to weaken our strength and destroy unity and brotherhood,” she asserted, adding that perhaps they don’t know that we are capable enough to neutralize all evil motives.

Speaking vehemently perhaps for the first time against Pak sponsored terrorism, she said plainly, “We will defeat terrorism.”

The Congress president also hailed various development programmes initiated by the UPA government to benefit poor living below the poverty line, farmers, common men etc. such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA), loan waiver for the farmers, continuous cut in prices of petrol, diesel and LPG domestic gas, Indo-US nuclear deal that will help to generate more power at cheaper rates.

A day ago, Sonia addressed a thanks-giving rally in Jaipur (Rajasthan), where Congress has returned to power, said India would never allow its enemies to succeed in their endeavour of spreading terror. We will fight against them and never let them succeed in their mission.