Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over winning fullmajority in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress interim President Sonia GandhiThursday said former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, had won a full majorityin the 1984 Lok Sabha elections but he "never used the powers to create anatmosphere of fear or destroy the freedom and liberty of the people".

Addressing a gathering of party leaders and workers on theoccasion of Rajiv Gandhi's 75th birth anniversary, Sonia Gandhi said Rajivnever used his power to put the principles of democracy in danger.

Without naming PM Narendra Modi or the Bharatiya JanataParty (BJP)-led government at the Centre, Sonia Gandhi said, "Rajiv Gandhicame to power in 1984 but he never used powers to create an atmosphere of fearor to destroy the freedom & liberty of the people. He never used his powerto put the principles of democracy in danger."Sonia Gandhi said that theCongress party needs to stand up and confront "those who are determined todestroy those values". She said that the party must continue its struggleagainst the "forces of divisiveness and those who want to change the ideaof India".As prime minister, Sonia Gandhi said, Rajiv Gandhi gave themessage that unity can be maintained by celebrating India's diversity. TheCongress interim president also said that no-one can ever do what Rajiv Gandhidid when he was a prime minister.

Sonia Gandhi said the former prime minister's 75th birthanniversary is not a ritual being marked by the Congress, but an occasion toreaffirm its resolve to uphold the values that inspired him.

"Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary is an occasion toresolve to stand up and confront forces determined to destroy the values thatinspired him," she said. Sonia Gandhi also asserted that the challengesthat the Congress is facing are formidable, but "it must continue with itsideological struggle against divisive forces".Reacting to Sonia Gandhi'sattack on PM Modi, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Manjinder S Sirsa said thatthe Congress interim president was "lying shamelessly".

Taking to Twitter, Sirsa said, "She says Rajiv Gandhinever created an environment of fear. That same Rajiv Gandhi who with hisCongress goons caused 8,000 innocent Sikhs to be burnt alive on roads!! Thatsame Rajiv Gandhi who said 'jab ek bada ped girta hai toh dharti hiltihai'."