New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on May 8 made an oblique attack on the sangh parivar, asking for legal action against "all those who disturb social peace and harmony" and said people would give a befitting reply to those diverting attention from basic issues of governance and development.

"Ultimately, it is the people of India who will give a befitting reply to those who want to divert attention from basic issues of governance and development and those who preach bigotry and hate," Gandhi said addressing the valedictory meeting of the general body of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP).

Gandhi's attack came in the backdrop of the trident distribution programme undertaken by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and plans by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition to bring a bill for ban on cow slaughter ahead of the Assembly elections in five states.

Referring to the Assembly polls, which are just a few months away, Gandhi reminded the party leaders of the need for "unity".

"I need hardly add that party unity, particularly among leaders, will be critical to our success" in the states, she said, adding Congress was in power in four of these states and therefore would have to combat the so-called anti-incumbency factor.

Pointing out that party governments have "solid achievements" to their credit, she said, "Succeed we must and, with the support of the people and with our collective commitment, succeed we will."

Squarely blaming the BJP-led coalition for deferring the Women's Reservation Bill once again, she said the government deferred the Bill on the excuse of seeking "consensus" when it had the written support of the Congress as well as the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM).

Expressing concern over the move, she said even in the meeting convened by the Lok Sabha Speaker, CPP members had strongly urged that the Bill should be taken up on May 6th itself, "but were ignored".

Gandhi also attacked the government over its handling of the value added tax (VAT) issue.

"VAT is a complex issue but the manner in which the Centre has shrugged off its responsibility is disturbing. It has tried to shift the blame to states, whereas the truth is that the Centre had had no clear strategy and roadmap. Neither has it been able to provide necessary political leadership and direction".

Making a reference to party's victory in Himachal Pradesh, Gandhi said the people of the state "overwhelmingly" rejected the "desperate efforts of the BJP, including those of the Prime Minister, to communalise the campaign".

With the formation of coalition government in Meghalaya, the total number of Congress Chief Ministers has gone up to 15, Gandhi said, adding the next meeting of Congress Chief Ministers' Council would be held shortly.

Terming the recent scandal of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) as "shocking", she said it was yet another addition to the long list of scams that have come to characterise the BJP-led coalition.

Gandhi regretted nothing has been done to take action against those shown as corrupt in the Tehelka tape expose, besides "inaction" vis-a-vis petrol pump allotment scam and the UTI scandal.

The leader of the Opposition said the Congress has come across a case where prime Defence land, valued at over Rs 50,000 per square yard in Naraina village in Delhi, has been allegedly given to encroachers led by a "high political functionary" of the government in violation of Delhi High Court orders.

Without elaborating, she said that there have been many "questionable and dubious" decisions in telecom and disinvestment as well.

Gandhi was critical of the Defence Ministry for not utilising a staggering amount of over Rs 23,000 crore between 2000-2001 and 2002-2003, which was revealed in a recent report of Parliamentary Standing Committee.

PTI