NEW DELHI/AMRITSAR, 8 February 2007 — With the Punjab Assembly polls drawing closer, leading politicians have stepped up their campaign with an emphasis on friendship between India and Pakistan rather than the usual anti-Pakistan rhetoric.

Leading campaigners include Congress party leaders who, after a setback in the Maharashtra civic polls, are trying every possible means to return to power in Punjab. While the week began with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing four rallies in two days (at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Ludhiana), it was Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s turn yesterday.

Kicking off her campaign from Amritsar, famous for its Sikh Golden Temple, Sonia assured the voters that improvement in Indo-Pak ties would economically help Punjab. “I think the policies of our governments at the center and in Punjab have resulted in the improvement of ties with Pakistan. This would help benefit trade and industry in the border state,” said Sonia.

Manmohan emphasized the same point while addressing a rally on Monday. “It is my dream that Amritsar becomes a trading hub as a result of an improvement of relations with Pakistan,” he said.

Not too long ago, anti-Pakistan rhetoric was considered crucial to win votes. The current campaign indicates that it is the reverse attitude that is prevalent now — harping on an improvement in Indo-Pak ties is being considered a crucial way to attract voters.

Sonia said Punjab was emerging again as a prosperous state due to massive investment and added that her party was committed to the overall development of the state. “A new fund has been instituted and several concessions have been granted,” she said, adding that several new schemes for Dalits and other unprivileged sections of the society have been launched.

Calling on voters to support Congress candidates, Sonia said they must reject the forces that want to spoil peace. “Every vote should be polled for Congress candidates and every Akali-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) candidate should be defeated... We can move ahead only when there is peace,” Sonia asserted.

“The foundation for a ‘new Punjab’ has been laid by the present state government,” she said, adding, “Bring back Congress if you want to accelerate development.”

Sonia also praised the Punjabi people for their valor and referred to the sacrifices given by the people of the state during India’s freedom struggle.