PCC protests against RSS leader's remarks against Sonia

Protesting against the serious remarks made by former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief K Sudershan against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the  Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday staged a dharna at Basheer Bagh Crossroads.

Demanding that the former RSS chief withdraw his provocative allegations, the Congress activists, led by PCC president D Srinivas, burnt his effigy.

Sudershan had alleged that Ms Sonia Gandhi was responsible for the assassinations of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and her own husband Rajiv Gandhi. The former RSS chief’s comments, ‘Sonia is an agent of CIA,’ appeared in a mass-circulated Hindi Daily.

Condemning the remarks, Mr Srinivas said the Congress president Sonia Gandhi was working relentlessly for the welfare of the people without seeking any posts.

Instead of tackling her politically, the Hindutva brigade has stooped to such level and resorting to malign her image politically. Warning of serious consequences, Mr Srinivas said the party would intensify its agitation until the Hindu outfit’s leader withdraws his remarks and offers an apology to Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Even as the dharna was going on, Chief Minister K Rosaiah visited to the spot to express solidarity with the activists.

Blaming the RSS leader for making such serious accusations against Ms Sonia Gandhi, the Chief Minister demanded immediate dropping of remarks and sought unconditional apology from Sudershan.

“Because of strenuous efforts of Sonia, the party came to power at the Centre for second time. Without desiring for any posts, she is working for the welfare of the poor and development of the country. Making allegations on such a leader is condemnable,” he said.

Congress MPs V Hanumantha Rao and Anjan Kumar Yadav and Health and Family Welfare Minister Danam Nagender and party cadre participated in the dharna.

When the activists resorted to obstruct the traffic, the police arrested them and shifted them to nearby police station.