Terrorism has no distinction: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said both majority and minority terrorism should be fought and there is no distinction between the two, while taking on the opposition BJP on the issue of corruption.

With Congress faced with criticism after party leader Rahul Gandhi was found telling US that “Hindu bigotry” is bigger threat than Islamic terror, Sonia Gandhi speaking at the party’s plenary session’s second day said: “There is no difference between minority and majority terrorism.”

She said both should be fought tooth and nail. She said communalism linked terrorism should be fought too.

Sonia Gandhi said commitment to secularism is the core of Indian essence. “We should follow the path of secularism and respect all religions and faiths. It is our tradition. Congress has always fought against communalism,” she said.

Sonia dwelt on corruption saying there would be no tolerance against the menace while laying emphasis on the core values of the party.

She referred to the Bihar elections which was swept by the rivals and said the road ahead is not easy and everything should be built from the scratch.

“The road ahead is tough but we will remain firm and succeed,” she told addressing the plenary session of the Congress on Day 2 at Burari here.

“We need to think on core values. We need to focus on our weaknesses,” she said, adding that there are many challenges ahead.

She said it is the party which forms the government and asked the leaders to care about the party workers.

The plenary marks the 125 years of the party while reports said the main agenda is an offensive on saffrong group-terror connections.

Sonia referred to the Jammu and Kashmir problem and the Maoist menace. She also dwelth on the Northeast problem, which according the latest WikiLeaks revelations, quoted Indian authorities as saying that it is a not on the priority list of the government.

“We have to find answers in Kashmir on why a full generation is estranged. The political process should also begin there,” she said, referring to the appointment of interlocutors in Kashmir.

She said the young in Kashmir should be reached out.

Sonia was scathing against the BJP on the issue of corruption and the deadlock in Parliament.

“Corruption has become a disease in our society. We cannot deny it. Right to Information (RTI) has brought a new culture of transparency and stability. There should be no tolerance for corruption or misconduct,” she said.

She attacked the BJP on the issue of corruption saying the party stalled the functioning of the Parliament but did nothing to punish its government in Karnataka.

“We made ministers resign, can BJP do it?” she asked, slamming the Opposition for holding the Parliament to ransom by political blackmail.

“We must confront corruption head on,” she said.

She also stood firmly behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh whose office was also reprimanded by the Supreme Court for inaction in the 2G scam.

He is embodiment of dignity, sobriety and integrity. Personal attack on him is regrettable,” she said, complimenting the PM for his leadership and taking the country on the path of prosperity.

“The party stands solidly behind him,” she said.

She said Congress is a party of glorious past and it is a party of the future.

“Congress is aware of its strength, conscious of its responsibility,” she said, adding that Congress will fulfil its responsibility standing united.