Cong members behind Sonia: Reddy

Alleging that some disgruntled Congressmen, who left the party are raising the foreign origin issue again at the instance of BJP to browbeat Sonia, he said it is a dead issue8217; since the people of Bellary and Amethi parliamentary constituencies had elected Sonia Gandhi with a huge majority in the last elections.

8220;The true colours of BJP are now getting exposed and the people understood its ulterior motive to tamper with the ideals incorporated in the constitution after great deal of deliberation and thought by intellectuals,8221; he said.

Sonia had already started the exercise throughout the country to oppose the BJP8217;s gameplan8217; by expressing the feelings and opinion of every Congressman in this regard, he added.

Stating that there was no direction on which the Constitutional Review Committee should go about, Reddy said it was not only the duty of every Congressman but the entire country to stand behind the Congress leadership to oppose anyone trying to interfere with the great ideals and tamper with the basic structure of the Constitution.

Referring to the reported differences among leaders within Congress on the issue of going in for reforms in the Constitution, he said there was freedom and democracy in the party providing scope for anyone to air their views and opinions.

However, he said there was unanimity among all Congress leaders on the issue of opposing the review of the Constitution and added, 8220;We totally support Sonia Gandhi in her resolve to fight the ideology of BJP which is not in the interest of the country.8221;

To a query on the resignations of senior leaders like Meira Kumari and Kamaluddin Ahmed from Congress, he said it would not affect the party in any way as they are not great leaders. There were resignations earlier also8217;.

Reddy said the worst period for the party is over and the party is poised for a better period8217;.

He lamented the changes effected in the party leadership just before the super-cyclone hit Orissa last year as well as the decision to sail with RJD in Bihar saying these may affect the image of the party.

But it was not proper to apportion the blame on Sonia Gandhi since it was the collective decision of the CWC, he said adding such mistakes were being rectified under Sonia8217;s leadership and would not recur again.

Reddy denied that Sonia was the cause for the party8217;s debacle in some states including Andhra Pradesh in the recent elections, saying the reasons for the party losing power in some states are different and should not be attributed to her.

Stating that Sonia took over the reins of the party at a critical juncture, he said she needed some time to rebuild the party again. 8220;She is our only leader and her hands needed to be strengthened,8221; he said and blamed BJP for misleading8217; people on her foreign origin.

He reiterated the party8217;s stand to oppose the proposed Constitution review both inside and outside parliament under Sonia8217;s leadership.

Reddy came down heavily on the RSS and Bajrang Dal who he alleged were dictating terms to BJP as was evident in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat states.8217; All the political parties are getting exposed of their true colours and limitations,8217; he said and expressed the hope that Congress on its own would be able to return to power.