Cong accuses RSS of spawning terror,mum on own scams

But nothing of that in speech after speech at the day-long session of the AICC,to ratify the re-election of Sonia Gandhi as party President for the fourth time.

The session saw over 1,000 delegates authorising her to nominate members to the Congress Working Committee,the highest policy-making body of the party.

In her inaugural speech,Gandhi said the Congress and the governments led by her party will “forcefully” resist attempts by anyone to abuse religion for political gains.

Talking about the September 30 Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit,she said it in “no way condones” the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6,1992.

The demolition was a “shameful,criminal act” and “all those responsible must be brought to justice,” she said.

Taking the attack a notch further,Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee piloted an AICC statement that said “recent revelations through detailed investigations have exposed the true character of RSS and its sister organisations. The investigations indicate the involvement of its members in terrorist activities.”

Justifying the inclusion of references to the RSS,Mukherjee said,”The RSS organisation is to be exposed. Their links with terrorist activities which have been recently highlighted through the revelations are to be brought in.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed the role of Sonia Gandhi as the “longest serving” party President for the last 12 years and her efforts in bringing the party to power at the Centre for a second continuous term.

He expressed confidence that under her leadership the party would continue to be in power for a long time.

In all speeches,there was no reference to the raging scam relating to Mumbai’s Adarsh Housing Society in which the Congress leaders of Maharashtra are facing allegations of irregularities. Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has already offered to resign over it.

There was also no reference to the Commonwealth Games scams.

Both Suresh Kalmadi and Ashok Chavan were present at the meet,which was held at the Talkatora Stadium.

While Kalmadi is under the scanner in the wake of allegations of corruption in Commonwealth Games,Chavan’s fate is hanging in balance after three of his relatives were found to be members of the controversial housing society.

Gandhi spoke on a number of other issues like Jammu and Kashmir,terrorism,price rise,naxalism and women’s reservation and party’s preparations for the next round of Assembly elections.

She noted that a “new situation” had emerged in Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to all dissatisfied sections to trust the government and give peace a chance so that the future of next generations could be built.

“I speak for all of us when I express my anguish at the loss of young lives in Kashmir. I share their grief. Their loss is a national loss. The whole generation has seen nothing but violence and conflict,” she said.

She said the priority should be on development of the state. “There has to be a meaningful political dialogue with all parties and all region,” she said.

On terrorism,she said the “threat is for real and we will never relax our vigil against terrorism”.

The Congress President said it was “crystal clear” as to who was behind the attacks on November 26,2008 in Mumbai,apparently referring to Pakistan.

Touching upon the issue of naxalism,she said while firm police action is necessary,there was a need for greater emphasis on socio-economic development.

On inflation,she said food prices have come down but there was a “need to bring these down further”.

She said states were as much responsible for this as the Centre.

She also said the Congress was committed to bringing the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha soon.

Launching a blistering attack on communal forces,Gandhi said the Allahabad High Court ruling on the Ayodhya title suit “in no way – in no way- condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6,1992.This was shameful- a criminal act – for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice”.

“We all remember how tense the country was in the days prior to the judgement.It is a tribute to our people that they ensured that peace and harmony prevailed,” she said.

“Broader message for us all is that our fight against communalism of all kinds,against fanaticism of all types has to continue unabated.This is a political struggle for a secular India,” the Congress President said.

Gandhi utilised the occasion to express concern over rising prices,noting that though inflation has come down to an extent,still it needs to be further brought down.

At the same time,she put the onus on the state governments to maintain the price line.

She noted that the states were responsible for operating PDS as also to take action against black-marketeers,hoarders and speculators.

She wanted partymen in opposition-ruled states to take the lead in pressurising the governments there to take action in this regard.

A highlight of the meeting was the unanimous authorisation by the 1,000-odd AICC delegates to Gandhi to nominate the entire Congress Working Committee,the highest policy-making body of the party,thereby making today’s schedule for the elections to the CWC redundant.

There have been no elections to CWC since Gandhi took over the reins of the organisation 12 years back. She has created a record by remaining at the helm for the longest tenure in the history of the organisation,which is currently celebrating its 125th year.