New Delhi:
The Congress' austerity drive received a giant push on Monday. Sonia Gandhi flew on an economy-class ticket from Delhi to Mumbai to inaugurate a new party office.
Gandhi was assigned seat F-3. Fliers seated around her said Gandhi flew "just like any other passenger", seats around her were not kept empty for added security or privacy.
"She was getting the normal treatment. There were no vacant seats around her," said a fellow traveler.
On Monday evening, Sonia Gandhi flew economy again from Mumbai to Bangalore. Three rows on either side of her were booked for her security. This time, there were 2 empty seats next to her.
"Her security guards were present. Nobody was inconvenienced," said another traveler.
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi will travel by train to Ludhiana for an official function. So clearly, the Gandhis want to lead the austerity drive by example.
Over the weekend, ministers like Pranab Mukherjee and Sharad Pawar flew economy class in keeping with the government's request for an austerity drive.
The campaign began among the Congress, reportedly at Sonia Gandhi's behest, after media reports that two union ministers were staying, at their own expense, in five-star hotels. The ministers, SM Krishna and Shashi Tharoor, pointed out that their government houses were not ready, but have moved out of their hotels.
The Congress wants its ministers to cut back on expenses as a sign of solidarity with a country whose farmers have been hit hard by the drought. After objections from some of its allies in the UPA government, the Congress has asked its own ministers to give up first-class travel.