MOVED BY the resignation of Congress president Sonia Gandhi as chairperson of the National Advisory Council and Lok Sabha membership from Rai Bareli, Congress activists strongly condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party and Samajwadi Party for making objectionable comments on the resignation. They said that national secretary of SP Amar Singh should show moral courage by resigning from the UP Development Council.
The Congress activists were, however, satisfied that Sonia Gandhi had decided to re-contest the election from Rae Bareli. Hundreds of party workers took out a procession from the party office and burnt the effigy of BJP leader LK Advani and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav at Town Hall crossing.
Addressing a meeting, Congress leaders Tauqir Ahmad, Rais Ahmad Khan and Kusum Pandey said Sonia Gandhi had set a healthy precedent in politics and others who were enjoying profitable posts being members of Parliament should resign from their posts. They strongly condemned SP general secretary Amar Singh and welcomed the resignation of the Congress president.
Accusing BJP leader Advani and SP leader Amar Singh for carrying out a campaign against Sonia Gandhi, Congress leaders Tej Narain Srivastav, Naveen Sinha and others said that in the hour of crisis, the moral courage shown by Sonia Gandhi had firmed the belief of the people that she had no lust for power.
Congress leader Qamruzzama Ansari said it was unfortunate that the BJP was targeting a person who had sacrificed the post for the unity, integrity and communal harmony in the country. President of Indo-Nepal Friendship Society Mohan Lal Gupta demanded that the resignation of all those leaders be sought who were enjoying offices of profit.
{{/usCountry}}Congress leader Qamruzzama Ansari said it was unfortunate that the BJP was targeting a person who had sacrificed the post for the unity, integrity and communal harmony in the country. President of Indo-Nepal Friendship Society Mohan Lal Gupta demanded that the resignation of all those leaders be sought who were enjoying offices of profit.
{{/usCountry}}Member of All India Congress Committee Dr Syed Jamal claimed that sacrifices made by Sonia Gandhi had cut other political party leaders to size and she was emerging as a leader to whom there was no alternative. He said the healthy tradition shown by Sonia Gandhi had saved the pride of democracy and claimed that only Sonia could take such bold steps.