Congress leaders meet in the shadow of Adarsh Society, CWG scams

New Delhi: The Congress party is meeting today to elect and nominate general secretaries for the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, amid growing pressure to act against those tainted by the Adarsh Housing Society scam and the Commonwealth Games corruption scandal.

Party president Sonia Gandhi has already addressed the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will also give his speech soon, which will be keenly watched. A political resolution is expected at the end of the day-long session. And the question being asked by many is - Will the party rise to the challenge it faces of salvaging its image?

The man at the centre of the Adarsh housing society scam, the latest controversy to hit the Congress, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is also attending the session.

As the session began, the AICC issued a statement that attempts to deflect attention to the Congress' political foe - the BJP and the Sangh. It says, "The Indian National Congress has always been in the forefront of the ideological and political battle against communalism of all types. Recent revelations through detailed investigation have exposed the true character of the RSS and its sister organisation. The investigations indicate involvement of its members in terrorist activities. Communal and terrorist elements will be fought at all costs."

The statement goes on to say, "Maoist and Naxalite activities in a number of districts in Bihar Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have caused serious law and order situation leading to senseless violence. Armed struggle against the state by any section of the society cannot b tolerated."

The BJP has been on the warpath demanding the dismissal of the Congress-led Maharashtra government for its alleged involvement in the Adarsh society scam. BJP chief Nitin Gadkari on Monday said there seemed to be a "constitutional breakdown" in the state as possible replacements for Ashok Chavan also faced corruption charges.

Gadkari took a dig at the Congress, saying it was caught in a dilemma about removing Chavan from the Chief Minister's post as it could not find a party leader with a clean image to replace him.

Highlights of AICC statement

AICC ON 'SAFFRON' TERROR

''Recent revelations through detailed investigations have exposed the true character of RSS and its sister organisations. The investigations indicate involvement of its members in terrorist activities. Communal and terrorist elements will be fought at all costs.''

AICC ON NAXALS

''Maoist and Naxal activities in a number of districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have caused serious law and order situation leading to senseless violence. Armed struggle against the state by any section of the society cannot be tolerated''


AICC ON JAMMU & KASHMIR

''In the recent past, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has deteriorated. However, with the cooperation of the state government, normalcy is now being restored. The appointment of interlocutors to carry forward the process of dialogue with various stakeholders is a welcome measure.''

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/congress-leaders-meet-today-in-the-shadow-of-adarsh-society-cwg-scams-63928?cp