Condemning the twin blasts that rocked Hyderabad last week, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday asked political parties not to “politicise” the issue but join hands in the fight against the menace of terrorism.

“The perpetrators of this heinous act have no religion or race. They are enemies of our country and of humanity and they do not want India to progress,” Sonia said while addressing a public meeting here. Sonia, who is on a day’s visit to the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, said she was pained to learn about the bombings.

Stating that the explosions were meant to spread terror and destabilise the country, she said, “I appeal to parties to keep their politics aside. Now is the time for all of us to remain united and take on the challenge being posed by terrorists.”

The Congress President said she was confident that the culprits would be brought to book and punished.