By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s day-long visit here Friday appears to have boosted the Congress party and its supporters in a big way after top state leaders pledged they would shy away from factionalism and work together for the party.
Addressing a meeting of the party workers here, Gandhi said only the Congress party can take the country forward as one.
“Our party alone can tackle terrorism and the communal forces. We don’t need a certificate from parties which played a role in the Kandahar incident in Afghanistan. The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government is going ahead with a clear set of plans and programmes,” she said.
She also refuted rumours that the Sachar Committee report on socio-economic conditions of the minorities will not be implemented.
“I assure you this is baseless and we will implement it,” said Gandhi.
Veteran Congress leader and four-time chief minister K. Karunakaran, who returned to the party after a two-year absence, shared the dais with Gandhi.
“I know for some time I had left the party and I returned because strengthening Soniaji’s hands means strengthening the country as only the Congress can save the country,” said Karunakaran.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony recalled that the party has not had pleasant times in the past few years and blamed factionalism for it.
“It happened because we had differences of opinion amongst leaders and it led to the poor performance of the party in various elections. I am sure that all what had happened is history and we will all work together as a cohesive unit,” he said.
State Congress president Ramesh Chennithala said the visit of the Congress president will give a great impetus to the party, which will now launch protests against the anti-people policies of the ruling Left government in the state.