New Delhi, Dec 22: Over 18 years after since he rebelled along with Sharad Pawar and the Late PA
Sangma, a key founder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Tariq Anwar has said
that raising Sonia Gandhi's "foreign origin" bogey and opposing her
right to become India's Prime Minister was "galat (a mistake)" and
the people of India themselves later rejected their political wisdom.
"Woh ek galat faisla tha (That was a wrong decision, a
mistake)," Mr Tariq Anwar told UNI in an interview here.
In fact, in 2009, after the Lok Sabha polls -- Late PA Sangma had met the then Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with his newly elected MP and daughter Agatha Sangma and told Ms Gandhi that he was "sorry" -- for what had happened 10 years ago -- that is in 1999.
"... I had wanted to apologise for what had happened," Sangma, the former Lok Sabha Speaker, had said.
Answering questions, Mr Anwar clarified that he has, however, not referred or discussed the matter "formally with NCP chief Sharad Pawar or any other colleague within NCP".
But he said, "Us waqt foreign origin ka sawal uthana sahi nahi tha (To raise the issue of foreign origin then -- in 1999 - was not a correct decision)".
He said, the people of India had rejected their wisdom and within 100 days of formation of NCP, in Maharashtra two parties had to come together to form government.
"And ultimately in 2004, we all were together -- part of the UPA and joined the ministry," said Mr Anwar, who was also part of Manmohan Singh government in UPA-2 as Union Minister of State for Agriculture.
Moreover, he said by 2004 and subsequently in 2009, it was clear that the people of India have "accepted" Sonia Gandhi as a national leader.
"In democracy, ultimate court is people's opinion, when voters have made it clear that they are with Sonia Gandhi and her leadership, we have to accept it," he said.
Asked if there will be any 'turmoil' in his party NCP for regretting a decision taken 18 years back, the Katihar MP in Bihar said, "Let there be any turmoil, but I am stating what I have to say".
In May 1999, Sharad Pawar, Tariq Anwar and PA Sangma had raised the issue of 'foreign origin' of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi and maintained that she could not be made or elected as Prime Minister of India.
In fact, Late Sangma had even said in 1999, "My national pride is too much. Any A, B, C cannot become Prime
Minister of India".
Subsequently after their 'expulsion' from Congress, Mr Pawar along with Mr Anwar and Mr Sangma floated the
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on May 25, 1999.
Answering questions on recent elections in Gujarat, Mr Anwar said he was glad that Rahul Gandhi has tried to emerge as a new generation leader and has able to give strong fight to BJP in Gujarat. UNI
In fact, in 2009, after the Lok Sabha polls -- Late PA Sangma had met the then Congress President Sonia Gandhi along with his newly elected MP and daughter Agatha Sangma and told Ms Gandhi that he was "sorry" -- for what had happened 10 years ago -- that is in 1999.
"... I had wanted to apologise for what had happened," Sangma, the former Lok Sabha Speaker, had said.
Answering questions, Mr Anwar clarified that he has, however, not referred or discussed the matter "formally with NCP chief Sharad Pawar or any other colleague within NCP".
But he said, "Us waqt foreign origin ka sawal uthana sahi nahi tha (To raise the issue of foreign origin then -- in 1999 - was not a correct decision)".
He said, the people of India had rejected their wisdom and within 100 days of formation of NCP, in Maharashtra two parties had to come together to form government.
"And ultimately in 2004, we all were together -- part of the UPA and joined the ministry," said Mr Anwar, who was also part of Manmohan Singh government in UPA-2 as Union Minister of State for Agriculture.
Moreover, he said by 2004 and subsequently in 2009, it was clear that the people of India have "accepted" Sonia Gandhi as a national leader.
"In democracy, ultimate court is people's opinion, when voters have made it clear that they are with Sonia Gandhi and her leadership, we have to accept it," he said.
Asked if there will be any 'turmoil' in his party NCP for regretting a decision taken 18 years back, the Katihar MP in Bihar said, "Let there be any turmoil, but I am stating what I have to say".
In May 1999, Sharad Pawar, Tariq Anwar and PA Sangma had raised the issue of 'foreign origin' of Italian-born Sonia Gandhi and maintained that she could not be made or elected as Prime Minister of India.
In fact, Late Sangma had even said in 1999, "My national pride is too much. Any A, B, C cannot become Prime
Minister of India".
Subsequently after their 'expulsion' from Congress, Mr Pawar along with Mr Anwar and Mr Sangma floated the
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on May 25, 1999.
Answering questions on recent elections in Gujarat, Mr Anwar said he was glad that Rahul Gandhi has tried to emerge as a new generation leader and has able to give strong fight to BJP in Gujarat. UNI
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