Groupism in party should not cross Lakshman rekha: Antony

Kozhikode: Defence Minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony on Sunday emphasised the need to control groupism in the state unit and work unitedly for the party's success in the coming Parliament election in 2014.

"I know that groupism in the Congress party will not end on my appeal. But it should be controlled and not 'cross the lakshmana rekha. Control groupism and achieve victory should be our slogan," he said at the special congress convention organised by Kozhikode District Congress Committee in Kozhikode.

Party workers should air their views only at the party fora, he said and asked the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and Kozhikode District congress Committee office-bearers to convene more meetings to enable workers express their views.

Noting that groupism in Congress had existed earlier also, Antony said there was now more groupism in political parties which did not have it in the past. Antony urged party workers to work unitedly and strengthen the party, since it will have to face a tough challenge in the coming parliament elections. "The atmosphere will not be easy. We will have to work unitedly to face the challenge", he said.

He said the people are with the party as both the UPA government at the Centre and UDF government in Kerala have been implementing many welfare programmes. The party, despite facing many challenges,had not changed from its basic stand of democracy, secularism, social justice and inclusive development, he said, adding, it had gained more strength under the leadership of AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

He said Congress is committed to pass the Food Security Bill, Women security Act and the Lokpal bill in the next Parliament session. Later, he inaugurated a super speciality hospital here and also launched 'MediaOne', a Malayalam television channel, promoted by Malayalam daily 'Madhyamam'.

Speaking after launching the channel, he urged all concerned in Kerala to work for communal harmony and social justice as disharmony among communities is harmful "It is the responsibility all people, including political parties and media, to strive for communal harmony," he said.