In a strong criticism of the CPI(M) over the violence in West Bengal's Nandigram, the Congress on Saturday said it was a "natural outcome" of placing the interests of the party cadres above that of the people.
Expressing concern over the "grave situation" in Nandigram, the party said the state government's writ "appears to have ceased to run" there. The Congress denounced the "culture of violence and cult of armed cadres."
"All this is the natural outcome of a system where the interests of party cadres are placed above the interests of the people at large and the law and order machinery is not allowed to function professionally," a draft political resolution of the AICC said.
However, the resolution did not mention by name the CPI(M), the largest party in the Left bloc which provides crucial outside support to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.
In her address, Congress President Sonia Gandhi touched upon the major challenges faced by the party in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Bihar, saying there is no alternative for Congress workers but to keep aside their differences and put up a united fight.
Referring to Naxalism, which the Prime Minister had described as the most serious challenge for internal security, she said the party has always viewed it as a question of law and order as well as a social issue.
{{/usCountry}}Referring to Naxalism, which the Prime Minister had described as the most serious challenge for internal security, she said the party has always viewed it as a question of law and order as well as a social issue.
{{/usCountry}}"Therefore to fight extremism, administration in tribal areas should be more sensitive and focused on development," she said, adding more attention should be paid on issues of land ownership and forcible occupation of land.