Influence of dictatorship on our democracy is rising: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that anti-national and anti-poor forces were spreading hatred and "venom of violence" in the country, and the "influence of dictatorship" on our democracy was rising.

The founding fathers would have never imagined that the Constitution and democracy will be in danger 75 years after Independence as freedom of expression is in danger and democratic institutions are being ruined, she said.

The Congress president was addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Chhattisgarh Assembly building in Nava Raipur, the upcoming new capital of the state, through a recorded video message in Hindi.

"For the past some time, an attempt is being made to derail our country. New challenges have come up before our democracy. Today, the country stands at a crossroads," she said in the message.

"Anti-poor and anti-national forces and those who rule by making people fight against each other have been spreading hatred and venom of violence," she said.