Raichur (Karnataka): Congress president Sonia Gandhi on February 4 said she has asked her party chief ministers to take "stringent action" against individuals and organisations which disturbed social and communal harmony and national integration.

Speaking at a meeting after dedicating the seventh unit of Raichur thermal power plant here, she said "communal forces" were raising their heads in the country and there were parties and organisations which were thriving by creating communal discord.

Without containing the activities of such organisations, governments would not be able to reach the targets they had set for implementing welfare programmes, she said.

Gandhi however did not name any organisation in her speech but was apparently referring to the Sangh parivar outfits.

Addressing a meeting at Karwar in Uttar Kannada district after launching several welfare programmes, Gandhi asked the people to be vigilant against the "designs" of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Sangh Parivar outfits of using hindutva card to divide people on religious lines.

Referring to the drought situation in Karnataka for the third consecutive year, she urged the Centre to extend financial assistance to provide succour to the affected.

At Raichur, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna said the state government would take up another 200 MW unit of Raichur thermal power plant for execution, which would go a long way in easing power shortage.

He said his government was committed to implementing power reforms but it would be done with a human face.

PTI