Covid-19 challenge: Sonia Gandhi distances from naysayers, extends support to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: As India combats the Covid-19 challenge, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday signalled her distancing from the often condescending, critical and nitpicking tone of many of her colleagues, including Rahul Gandhi, and offered PM Narendra Modi her and the party’s full solidarity and cooperation with the government’s efforts to fight the virus-related challenges.

Declaring that “it is imperative for each one of us to rise above partisan interests and honour our duty towards our country and indeed, towards humanity”, Gandhi requested in her second letter to the PM on Thursday –– hours ahead of the government announcing the relief package for the poorer sections –– which was also made “in the spirit of cooperation”.

Her new suggestions, besides pleading the case of the vulnerable sections and health sector workers, also included a pitch for helping the distressed businesses, especially micro-smallmedium businesses through “a comprehensive sector-wise package, including necessary tax breaks, interest subvention and deferment of liabilities”.


Incidentally, the special relief package the government announced on Thursday also included certain measures which were similar to some suggestions by Gandhi.

His mother’s tone appeared to have sobered the tenor of Rahul Gandhi’s subsequent tweet which said, “The govt financial assistance package, is the first step in the right direction. India owes a debt to its farmers, daily wage earners, labourers, women & the elderly who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing lockdown”.