Indira Gandhi responsible for Jharkhand creation: Sonia

Sonia has sought to dismiss the BJP's claim that Vajpayee was responsible for creation of Jharkhand, saying it was Indira Gandhi, who had initiated the process.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has sought to dismiss the BJP's claim that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was responsible for creation of Jharkhand, saying it was the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had initiated the process.

HT Image

''It was Congress under Indira Gandhi which started the process for Jharkhand state,'' Sonia said while canvassing for party candidate and former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay, here.

Alleging that the very purpose of the creation was to provide education, employment, irrigation and other basic needs, she said that people's aspirations and dreams had not been realised.

''It seems that people have been deceived. Nobody is prepared to invest despite Jharkhand possessing rich mineral resources,'' she said.

Sonia also alleged that the morale of communal forces had increased because the NDA government are in both at the Centre and the state. ''If government follows discrimination and creates division who will give justice to the people?

Addressing the gathering the JMM chief, Sibu Soren, told the gathering that according to an agreement, the Congress (7), RJD (1) and CPI (1) are contesting nine seats while the JMM has fielded in five, including two friendly bouts , at Koderma and Rajmahal.