Mumbai: In a major embarrassment for the Congress party, which is celebrating its 131st foundation day on Monday, some controversial articles have appeared in its mouthpiece criticising Sonia Gandhi and questioning the decisions of Jawaharlal Nehru - the former prime minister and party's biggest icon.
As per reports, an article, which appeared in the December issue of "Congress Darshan" which is published from Maharashtra, claims that Sonia Gandhi's father was a member of the fascist forces in Italy.
The article further says that Sonia Gandhi became Congress president 62 days after becoming a member and made a failed attempt to form government.
Another article in the same issue of "Congress Darshan" questions Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's decisions, saying had he taken into consideration the views of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Kashmir, the situation would have been different.
Senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, who is the editor of ''Congress Darshan'', is under attack for this goof-up. Nirupam has, however, clarified that that he does not look into its day-to-day functioning.
Nirupam later apologised for the mistake and said that action would be taken against the people responsible in the editorial team.
"Some words that have been used in some articles of 'Congress Darshan' are certainly objectionable. I accept the mistake. Action will be taken against people in editorial team who are responsible for this mistake," Nirpuam said.
The party sources, however, claim that an inquiry will be conducted by the party soon and the editorial team responsible for the embarrassing articles will face action.
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party today said the Congress mouthpiece 'Congress Darshan' should not rake up decade old issues against former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and party president Sonia Gandhi.
"Sonia has had her own experiences of success and turmoil in the last 20-25 years after Rajiv Gandhi and her mother-in-law's assassination. She has also successfully run Manmohan Government for about ten years," NCP leader Majeed Memon told ANI.
"These things which are being spoken are almost two decades old. It's a matter of history. It need not be raked up again without any justification. I am only wondering as to how Congress' own mouthpiece could just dig up these all ancient matters," he added.
