Monday, May 30 2005 21:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Sushma Swaraj today (May 30, 2005) accused the Congress President Sonia Gandhi of trying to usurp power through "devious means", citing recent developments in Goa, Jharkhand and Bihar.

"The 'tyagi and tapaswi' (Gandhi opted out of office after general elections last year) is trying to usurp power through devious means and retain it", she said in a campaign meeting in Bangalore for the June two Chamarajpet Assembly by-election.

Swaraj, Deputy Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha, charged the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) chairperson with hatching the plan to dissolve Bihar Assembly as the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) under the leadership of Nitish Kumar was about to stake claim to form Government.

"Nitish Kumar was to stake claim to form the Government. Previous night at 11 pm the Cabinet decided to dissolve the Assembly. Actually, the drama was enacted by 10 Janpath", the former Delhi Chief Minister said.

She also referred to "removal" of the BJP Government in Goa as well as developments prior to eventual installation of the party-led Government in Jharkhand.

"Democracy has suffered during UPA's one year rule. Congress does not believe in democracy. We are reminded of emergency days of Indira Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi is continuing the Congress culture", she alleged.

On Gandhi's reported statement that NDA actions have hurt India's image abroad, Swaraj earlier told reporters the Congress President had taken a "distorted view" of NDA's achievements.

In earlier years, Indians abroad were ashamed to reveal their country of origin but six years of NDA rule had changed that. "Now Indian in abroad are proudly saying that they are from India", she said.