Bangalore: Questioning Congress president Sonia Gandhi's competence, Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie today (Apr 15, 2004) told people not to "gamble" by electing her party and said she had shown no signs of "understanding, maturity and wisdom to handle complex and delicate issues".

"The country is passing through uncertain times," he said at a public meeting, noting the developments in India's neighbours.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

"We do not know what will happen to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the peace process in Sri Lanka. There is disintegration of administration in Nepal. Islamic fundamentalism is a great factor in Bangladesh. Myanmar is trying to get out of the clutches of China. India is having delicate negotiations with China on border. There is a debate in Pakistan whether they should continue to fight with India or make peace with it".

Questioning Gandhi's competence, he asked, "Are you giving power to Gandhi, who has not shown any signs at all of understanding, maturity and wisdom to handle complex and delicate issues. How can you gamble with the future of the country."

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, had three unique qualities "political experience, wisdom and instinct" and asked the people to ponder whether the "other side (apparently referring to Gandhi) had all these".