Anti-national and anti-poor forces are spreading venom of “hatred and violence” in our country, democratic institutions are being destroyed, lokshahi (democracy) is getting overwhelmed by tanashahi (dictatorship), Congress president Sonia Gandhi said on August 29.

She was addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Chhattisgarh Assembly building to be built in Nava Raipur, through a recorded video message.

Speaking in Hindi, Ms. Gandhi said, “There are new challenges in front of our country. Anti-national, anti-poor and divisive forces who are ruling us, are spreading venom of hatred and violence, freedom of expression is in danger and democratic institutions are being destroyed. The influence of tanashahi is increasing on lokshahi,” she said.

Without naming anyone, Ms. Gandhi further said, they want to suppress the voice of the people of the country. “What do they want? They want people of the country, our youth, our tribal people, our women, our farmers, shopkeepers and small traders, jawans to keep their mouths shut. They want to keep the nation’s mouth shut,” she said.

Stating that n two years, the country will complete 75 years of Independence, Ms. Gandhi said, “The Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, former Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, G.V. Mavalankar [Speaker of Constituent Assembly of India], Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and our other ancestors would have never imagined that even 75 years after Independence, the country will face such a difficult situation, when our Constitution and democracy are in danger.”

Ms. Gandhi called on Congress leaders to “take a pledge that till the time we are in power, all our decisions are keeping in mind the last man in the line”.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also attended the programme via video-conference from Delhi, officials said.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant and State Ministers were present at the venue of the function in Nava Raipur.