As communal violence steers tension in Delhi, the Congress top leaders began discussions on the issue at a meeting of its working committee on Wednesday. Nonetheless, Rahul Gandhi fails to appear in an important meeting as he decides to travel abroad.
Congress Holds a meeting over Delhi Violence
The meeting was attended by top leaders like Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, A K Anthony, Ghulam Nabi Azad, P Chidambaram, and Priyanka Gandhi.
Following the meeting, Congress leaders are likely to hold a peace walk from the party headquarters to the Parliament House. The grand old party has recalled a meeting of its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs later in the day.
#WATCH Live from Delhi: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi addresses the media https://t.co/GeQbN7rQkR
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
Since the beginning, Congress is against the CAA and has requested the government to keep it halted or take it back as it is causing concern among a major section of the country’s population, especially the Muslim community.
“Our call to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Delhi chief minister is, can you leave aside your political partisanship and views, and become not leaders of your parties but leaders of the society so that harmony, peace, and non-violence prevail,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Mr. Gandhi misses out
Interestingly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi choose not to be part of the meeting as he had other plans.
Delhi: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, P Chidambaram, Jyotiraditya Scindia and other party leaders at Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at AICC headquarters. pic.twitter.com/Juaol61f28
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
According to the ANI sources, Waynad MP is currently traveling and he will be back after a few days.
Sources: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today, as he is currently not in the country. https://t.co/fEhvi3MT40 pic.twitter.com/6qZeAmKPiq
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
Peace march from the party headquarters
On Tuesday, Congress denounced the clash in Delhi and urged in power BJP to stand above blind politics. They asked the Modi government to come forward and ensure peace in the city-state.
“This is Gandhi, Nehru and Patel’s India, can any Indian accept this mindless violence? Congress appeals to the people of Delhi to maintain communal harmony and thwart all attempts of the forces dividing the country based on religion,” Surjewala said and asked the government to carry out peace marches in the capital state.
Randeep Surjewala, Congress: Congress was to hold a march and give a memorandum to President today but he communicated that he is unavailable and has given us time tomorrow. Upholding the respect for his high office, we have deferred the march for tomorrow. #DelhiViolence https://t.co/gryLEwKI8f pic.twitter.com/4S2ZbrFFvG
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020
Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi has urged people to stay away from violence. She said, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress: I appeal to the people of Delhi to not indulge in violence, exercise caution & maintain peace. We have told our workers in Uttar Pradesh to do all they can to maintain peace if violence spreads there.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress: I appeal to the people of Delhi to not indulge in violence, exercise caution & maintain peace. We have told our workers in Uttar Pradesh to do all they can to maintain peace if violence spreads there. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/BVHBmEhmPi
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2020