Karwar (Karnataka): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on February 4 appealed to people to be vigilant against the designs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 'sangh parivar' outfits in continuing with its 'hindutva' to divide the society on the basis of religion.

Addressing a gathering at a function at which she inaugurated 10 development works to be implemented by her party government in Karnataka in the 11 taluks of Uttara Kannada at a cost of Rs 280 crore, she called upon people to unite in defeating "the attempts of BJP to divide the society on 'hindutva' plank".

Referring to widespread drought gripping Karnataka for the third successive year, Gandhi urged the Centre to extend financial assistance to render relief to the affected people.

She wanted the 'panchayat raj' system introduced by late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to be strengthened and fruits of decentralisation of power to reach people at the grass roots level.

Gandhi exhorted the state government headed by Chief Minister S M Krishna to initiate steps for boosting development of tourism in Uttara Kannada district, which offered great potential for it was endowed with beautiful locations.

She urged the Centre to expedite completion of the prestigious 'Sea Bird Naval' base project being developed in Karwar.

On this occasion, the Karwar beach was named after the national poet Rabindranath Tagore.

PTI