Vasai (Maharashtra): Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (Apr 19, 2004) accused him of "changing views daily and keeping mum on sensitive issues like Lucknow saree stampede and Best Bakery case".

"How can a person be believed who keeps changing his words daily?" asked Gandhi while addressing a huge public rally in Vasai in Thane district of Maharashtra, nearly 60 kms from Mumbai.

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

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) president was in Vasai to campaign for the party nominee and film star Govinda, who is contesting from Mumbai North Parliamentary constituency and Damu Shingda, who is the Congress candidate from neighbouring Dahanu Lok Sabha seat.

"We do not have trust in the Prime Minister who leads a coalition, but criticises it and seeks vote for BJP," she said in her 15-minute speech referring to Vajpayee's reported statement of being tired of allies.

On the recent saree stampede in Lucknow, which also happens to be Vajpayee's constituency, Gandhi said the incident was "a cruel joke of their poverty".

Dozens lost their lives and the Election Commission had to initiate action but Vajpayee had kept quiet, she alleged.

Pointing to Vajpayee's famous statement on "Rajadharma", she said on one hand he talks of "Rajadharma" while on the other "praises those who have destroyed the very fabric of our society".

The Congress president accused the Prime Minister of keeping silence on Supreme Court verdict on the infamous Best Bakery case, which she said occurred in Gujarat, which gave the message of peace and non-violence.