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'Congress alone can uphold democracy': Dilip Kumar

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

Dilip Kumar, one of the icons of Indian cinema, today called upon like-minded parties to join hands with the Congress, which alone can "uphold democracy and secularism in the country."

The 76-year filmstar, who has taken the plunge to campaign for the Congress party throughout the country, was addressing a press conference on the eve of a public rally that he is to address here tomorrow. "I have come here to appeal to the masses to support the Congress, which alone is a party with a structure, a constitution and the capability to take the nation ahead," he said.

Political analysts consider Dilip Kumar's open support for the Congress as a shot in the arm for the party, which had completely alienated itself from the minorities following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, when the party was blamed for its "passive" role. Dilip Kumar's appeal on behalf of the Congress is expected to have considerable impact on the Muslim community, who are already in the process of rethinking their antipathy towards the Congress.

Referring to the coming elections, he remarked, "here is an opportunity for us to discard the unworthy, who were only seeking to divide the nation in the name of caste and religion." He went on to describe the Congress party as one that stood for, "secularism, unity, stability, the fight against corruption and with the capability to struggle for the common people."

He felt, "it was time to build togetherness and unity," while adding, "you can't do much if you remain in fragments and when the goal is common; then why not come together and strive towards the betterment of the nation." He felt that the younger leadership in the Congress had shown much promise. "Their minds are fresh, they are without hang-ups and therefore deserve to be given a chance," he asserted.

Dilip Kumar admitted that he had extended support to Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in the last Lok Sabha election. But promptly he clarified, "you see, all I did was to inaugurate the election office of the party nominee, who happened to be the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi." And went on to add, "but I do not deny that in Mulayam, I could then see a promising gentleman; he brought a fresh thrust into the politics of that time, when Bombay was going through a bad patch of rioting."

In reply to a question he described Mulayam Singh Yadav as a "well-intentioned man," but felt that the Samajwadi Party chief must understand the need of the hour and act accordingly.

He maintained that his association with the Congress dated back to 1956 when he first came out in open support of the party. "Even prior to that, I had been an ardent admirer and staunch follower of the then Congress stalwart Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan," he disclosed.

On being asked what prompted him to return so actively to the Congress fold, he confessed, "yes, I had completely dissociated myself from politics for seven years, but then certain happenings made me feel indignant and I decided to do something."

Recalling at length the series of events that led him into taking the plunge to actively campaign for the Congress, he said, "it was the chiding of Sonia Gandhi by my friend Sharad Pawar that provoked me to first tell him that he was perhaps not right in describing Sonia as incapable of becoming prime minister; and then I personally sought an appointment with Sonia Gandhi to offer my services."

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