'Those in power pose threat to Mahatma Gandhi's legacy': Sonia at Congress meet

NEW DELHI: Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday claimed the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi was under threat from those in power in Delhi.

In the veiled attack on the RSS, BJP's ideological mentor, the ex-Congress chief said the ideologies and institutions that have nurtured the ruling party also pose a threat to Gandhi's legacy.

She claimed they (the RSS) never fought for India's freedom and also "glorified" Gandhi's killer.

Sonia Gandhi's message was read out at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting as she could not travel to the venue at Karnataka's Belagavi.

Sonia, in her message, asked the party workers to fight the forces which she claimed "created a toxic atmosphere that led to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination".

She further said that Gandhi becoming Congress president in Belagavi was a turning point for the grand-old party and for the Independence movement.

"It was a transformational milestone in our country's history. Today, we rededicate ourselves to preserve, protect and promote the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He has been and will continue to be the fundamental source of our inspiration," she said.

"It was he who moulded and guided all our remarkable galaxy of leaders of that generation. His legacy is under threat from those in power in New Delhi and the ideologies and institutions that have nurtured them," she said in her message, according to news agency PTI.

"These organisations never fought for our freedom. They opposed Mahatma Gandhi bitterly. They created a toxic atmosphere that led to his assassination. They glorify his killers," Sonia Gandhi, who is also Congress Rajya Sabha MP, said.

Praising the idea behind naming the CWC meet "Nava Satyagraha Baithak", Sonia claimed it was fitting given that institutions in various places across the nation are under assault.

"It is now our sacred duty to renew our resolve to confront these forces with all the might at our command and with uncompromising determination," she said.

She further urged the party workers to individually and collectively move forward with firm resolve to tackle the challenges.

"I am sure that the issue of strengthening our organisation further to face the challenges it confronts will also come up today. Our great organization with such a glorious history has, time and again demonstrated its resilience. Let us individually and collectively move forward from this meeting firm in our resolve to meet the many challenges our party faces with a renewed sense of urgency and a refreshed sense of purpose," she said.
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