People's Democracy

THE Left Front and its allies candidate, Dr. (Capt.) Lakshmi Sahgal fired the first shot in the battle of presidential polls declaring that she has consented to join this political contest to make her contribution to reforge people's unity and carry forward the struggle waged all through her life.

Addressing her first press conference on June 17, after accepting the request by the Left and its allies to contest the presidential elections, Capt. Sahgal responded to questions in a sharp yet warm manner. The fighter in her was evident as she tackled various questions being thrown at her by the media of the capital. Both electronic and print media turned out in full strength to see and hear the Left presidential candidate place her agenda.

After she read out her prepared statement to the press, the field was open to questions. When one questioner asked for her reaction to the Congress and Samajwadi party's decision to back out of a contest , she replied " In every battle there are some people who run away from the battle." Asked to comment on the performance of Vajpayee government, "I think non-performance is the one word to describe it" responded Capt. Sahgal. Quizzed by a journalist whether her fight was not just a symbolic fight, Capt. Sahgal retorted " A fight is a fight".

She made it clear that though her fight against Dr. Abdul Kalam was not personal, the selection of a nuclear scientist for presidentship has definitely sent wrong signals. When asked what were the biggest chalenges facing the nation, she replied that the nation is facing challenges both from within and outside the country. She felt that the challenges from within the country are much more dangerous as the enemy within is not clearly seen by the people. The question of unemployment, illiteracy, ensuring rights of dalits, minorities, women and other weaker sections is a major challenge. But, the biggest challenge facing the nation today is the issue of communalism, said Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal.

She declared that federalism is the key feature of our constitution and that it would be her endeavour to prevent misuse of Article 356. At the same time she asserted that given the happenings in Gujarat, it is a fit case for use of Art. 356. In fact, she felt that if it had been used immediately after the violence began, it could have saved many lives.

The soldier in her came out when it was asked what was her feeling when she was requested to contest. " It was quite stunned. I never expected it. But, I felt it was a great responsibility to which I must respond."

CPI(M) general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet introduced Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal to the press. CPI general secretary A B Bardhan, CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechury, RSP general secretary Abani Roy, Forward Block secretariat member Shyam Gaud and CPI secretariat member D Raja were present at the press conference.

Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal will start her campaign from Gujarat. After filing her nomination on June 21 at 12 :00 p.m., she will make a visit to the relief camps in Ahmedabad housing thousands of the victims of Gujarat genocide on June 29. She will visit Kolkata on July 2 and Patna on July 3. Her visits to other state capitals will be announced on June 21.