NEW DELHI, May 18: Italian-born Sonia Gandhi became the first Indian leader to decline the prime minister's post on Tuesday in the country's 56-year-old parliamentary history, saying she was interested in empowering secularism not seeking anything less.
Ms Gandhi's decision was reportedly a response to a campaign by the Hindu right to ensure that she did not become the prime minister. There were reports that the Hindutva campaign was partly threatened over fears that she would get access to crucial files incriminating her main rivals, including some unnamed business houses.
The latest scandal to hit the Indian government stems from claims by Ms Gandhi's Leftist allies that the stock markets had plunged in a historic bloodbath because of the machinations of a few politically-motivated business houses.
According to her two children Priyanaka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi, some politicians close to them had pressed her to stand down because of fears of assassination.
Sonia Gandhi's mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, was shot by her religiously motivated Sikh bodyguards from close range in 1984. There were fears that the hysteria whipped up against Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin could lead to a similarly tragic consequence.
Many analysts believe that the fanatical Hindu revivalist, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, ideological fountainhead of the BJP, has deeply penetrated India's security apparatus.
Outgoing prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's National Democratic Alliance partners said they would not attend Ms Gandhi's swearing-in, a move that rankled her, but apparently did not scare her.
Ms Gandhi's communist allies expressed their disappointment at her decision to turn down the rare support of 320 MPs out of 539 in the new Lok Sabha. However, they said they would accept Dr Manmohan Singh, the Congress Party's pro-reforms former finance minister if, as widely hinted, he is elected as the new leader.
Most analysts were of the view that Ms Gandhi would emerge as a formidable leader in the next round of general elections expected in a year or two. Members of India's rightwing Hindu groups approached the High Court to cancel Ms Gandhi's election, but the court declined.
Congress supporters fought pitched battles with Delhi's riot police as they tried to raid the Bharatiya Janata Party's main offices in the heart of Delhi. One supporter of Ms Gandhi was seen holding a gun to his temple over reports, that were yet only rumours, that she would not accept the PM's post.
In the morning, Ms Gandhi met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when she reportedly told him that she was not interested in the job. In the evening, at the parliament's central hall, she repeated her stand.
Ms Gandhi appeared to be following the decision of her husband when he opted to sit in opposition after a split verdict in 1989 even though as head of the single largest party he could become prime minister.
Congress leaders compared this decision with Atal Behari Vajpayee's first stint as prime minister in 1996, when he staked claim to the job, ruled for 13 days, but quit when he realized he would lose the trust vote.
Ms Gandhi read out her speech at the hallowed central hall and then allowed scores of her 145 party MPs to plead with her, some emotionally, others with the force of logic. Later, she retired for the day, saying she would like her views to be respected.
"Throughout these past six years that I have been in politics, one thing has been clear to me. And that is, as I have often stated, that the post of prime minister is not my aim," she told her MPs.
"I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position that I am in today, I would follow my own inner voice. Today, that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post," Ms Gandhi said.
She said while she had been unanimously elected the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party, she had to abide by the principles, which had guided her all along. "Power in itself has never attracted me, nor has position been my goal," Ms Gandhi declared to stunned audience, widely broadcast by Doordarshan.
She said her aim had always been to defend the secular foundation of India and the poor - "the creed sacred to Indiraji and Rajivji," she said referring to India's two former assassinated prime ministers, one her husband, the other her mother-in-law.
"We have waged a successful battle. But we have not won the war. That is a long and arduous struggle, and I will continue it with full determination," Ms Gandhi said.
She appealed to her supporters to accept her decision. "I request you to accept my decision and to recognize that I will not reverse it," she said. She said India's foremost responsibility at this critical time was to provide the country with a secular government that was strong and stable.
