 | | 05-19-2004, 01:55 AM |
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| Sonia Ghandi Won't Be Prime Minister
Here. Quote: Gandhi won't be prime minister
She declines post and shocks India, her party
May 19, 2004
NEW DELHI -- Sonia Gandhi stunned her nation Tuesday when she said she would decline to become India's prime minister, despite repeated pleas from her party.
The news came after members of her Congress Party had said Monday that the Italian-born Gandhi had agreed to assume the post and would meet with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Tuesday to make a formal announcement. They had predicted she would be sworn in today.
Members of the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of outgoing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had demonstrated against the possibility of a foreign-born prime minister. They had pledged to boycott Gandhi's swearing-in ceremony if she were named leader.
Gandhi, who became an Indian citizen 21 years ago, did not mention a nominee for the post.
The favorite appeared to be Manmohan Singh, a Sikh and the architect of India's economic liberalization program during the last Congress Party-led government from 1991 to 1996.
Gandhi will remain president of the party, which scored surprising victories nationwide in elections that ended last week.
On Tuesday, reports that Singh could be the next prime minister helped send India's stock markets soaring, a day after suffering record losses.
"The post of prime minister has not been my aim," Gandhi told newly elected Congress Party members in parliament.
"I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position I am in today, I would follow my inner voice. I humbly decline the post."
As head of the party, Gandhi had been expected to become prime minister. But she would likely have led a coalition government dependent on the outside support of two Communist parties, who oppose continuing economic reforms such as privatizing government-run companies.
On Tuesday, new Congress Party lawmakers shouted and pleaded with Gandhi during her announcement to change her mind, and she had to stop several times to get the audience to quiet down. It then passed a resolution calling on her to reconsider.
Her voice quavered, after having listened for two hours to the new members of parliament: "I have listened to your views, your pain, your anguish at the decision I have taken. I am aware I am causing anguish to you also, but I think you should trust me; allow me to take my decision."
As the party president, Gandhi, 57, will likely exert a strong influence on the government.
If she had accepted the post, she would have been the fourth member of the fabled Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to be prime minister. Her assassinated husband was the last Gandhi to be prime minister, from 1984 to 1989.
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