Tuesday, July 5 2005 17:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress today (July 5, 2005) said that there was need for the nation to stand as one in the wake of the terror attack at Ayodhya saying that it was not the time for emotional reaction or arousing communal sentiments.

Ambika Soni, who heads the AICC (All India Congress Committee) media department, told reporters that it was time for the country to stand as one and it was unwise for anyone to play politics on the issue.

She recalled that Congress had refrained from playing any politics, when it was in Opposition, at the time of attack on Parliament as also on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Condemning the attack, she said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh briefed Congress Chief and UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the incident and Gandhi expressed firm resolve to combat terrorism and forces inimical to the secular ethos of the country.

Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to the Congress President, wanted the Government to go at the root cause of the terrorist activities and ensure adequate protection to all places of worship.