Condemning the twin blasts that rocked Hyderabad last week, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday asked political parties not to “politicise” the issue, but join hands in the fight against terrorism.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act have no religion or race. They are enemies of our country and of humanity and they do not want India to progress,” Gandhi said while addressing a public meeting here.
Gandhi, who is on a day’s visit to the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, said she was pained to learn about the bombings.

Stating that the explosions were meant to spread terror and destabilise the country, she said, “I appeal to parties to keep their politics aside. Now is the time for all of us to remain united and take on the challenge being posed by terrorists.”

The Congress president said she was confident that the culprits would be brought to book and punished. Earlier, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said he had personally advised Gandhi against visiting the state capital soon after the blasts as it would “unnecessarily give publicity to the terrorists”.

Gandhi, who earlier launched the second phase of “Indiramma” housing scheme at Thummuluru village near here, lauded the Reddy government for its myriad development initiatives.

“I am happy that this government is working for the welfare of all sections and implementing the poll promises,” she said.

Thanking people for reposing their faith in the Congress party and bringing it to power in the 2004 elections, Gandhi said the state government was focusing on development of agriculture and irrigation and launched a unique mission ‘Jalayagnam’.

She appealed to Congress workers to serve as a bridge between the government and the people, take the message of development to every nook and corner of the state and stand by the disadvantaged sections.

A PECK ON SONIA’S CHEEK
Rajahmundry, uni: A woman on Saturday surprised Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi by planting a kiss on her cheek.

As Gandhi was interacting with the women beneficiaries of the Rajiv Gruhakalpa Housing Scheme here, the woman took  the Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy by surprise by first holding Gandhi’s hands and then planting a kiss on her cheek.

However, Gandhi did not make any attempt to stop her. The sleuths providing security to the UPA chairperson did not restrain her either.