Updated on Thursday, October 02, 2008, 00:00 IST

Zeenews Bureau

Panipat (Haryana), Oct 02: Terming terrorists as "enemies of the country", Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said their designs would not succeed and also warned those making political mileage out of the issue, in an apparent reference to the BJP which has accused the Congress of being soft on terror for minority appeasement and vote-bank politics.

"Some people (terrorists) want to end social unity and brotherhood. They are killing several innocent people and creating an atmosphere of terror. Such people are enemies of society and the country. Such activities should be rooted out. This is a national problem and everybody should come together to fight it," said Sonia Gandhi at a rally here on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary.

"It is a matter of concern that some people in the country take advantage of such tragedies (terror attacks) and want to divide society for their political gains. They think and feel that they can succeed this way," she added.

Sonia Gandhi said the objective of both the terrorists and those trying to make political capital out of the issue of terrorism was the same - to divide society.

Reminding people the contribution made by Mahatma Gandhi to forge unity and integrity in the country, Gandhi said: "This is a proud moment for our country as the United Nations has understood Mahatma Gandhi's importance and declared his birthday as International Peace Day.”

She also hailed the harships borne by lakhs of freedom fighters to win Independence. Praising the achievements made by successive Congress governments in Haryana, Gandhi said the Green Revolution and Bhakra Nangal Dam in the state were symbols of the progressive policies of her party while it was in power.

Gandhi also gave certificates of allotment of 100-sq yards of residential plots to 328 beneficiaries from the backward communities.