Sonia on dissidence in party

Disapproving open expression of dissidence by partymen, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said it was the dissident element in the party which hurt its interests more than its adversaries in any election.

"When we lose any election, more than our rivals, a big reason behind it is that people from our own party make irresponsible statements," Gandhi said while inaugurating a four-day convention of party workers.

"Congress is a democratic party and I will advise that the partymen use appropriate fora within the party to vent their grievances," she said.

She also asked the workers to analyse the performance of Congress-ruled states and states ruled by other parties to get a clear perspective of the current political situation in the country.