New Delhi, Sept 9 (ZEENEWS.COM) President A P J Kalam, Vice-President B S Shekhawat, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today condemned the deadly blasts in the Maharashtra town of Malegaon and asked people to maintain peace and harmony.

"Gandhi has expressed deep shock and anguish over the dastardly incident. She has described it as an act of cowardice and asked people to maintain peace, patience and harmony", party spokesman Satyavrata Chaturvedi told reporters.

He said such incidents would further strengthen the party`s resolve to confront terrorism.

Gandhi also expressed sorrow over the loss of numerous lives in the coal mine accident in Dhanbad.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the explosions.

In a message sent form Abuja, Nigeria, where he is attending the 52nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Chatterjee conveyed his deep sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Thirty seven people were killed and 45 others injured in two blasts in the communally-sensitive town of Malegaon in Nashik district.

Left Parties condemn Malegaon blasts

Left Parties today strongly condemned the twin blasts in Malegaon in Maharashtra, which claimed several lives, saying the explosions were calculated to provoke communal tension.

"We appeal to the people to remain calm and not fall prey to any provocation", party general secretary Prakash Karat said, while expressing deep grief at the loss of innocent lives and injuries to a large number of people.

"It appears that the blasts have been calculated to provoke communal tension", the CPI(M) leader said.

CPI National Secretary D Raja said if such an incident could occur despite repeated warnings by security agencies, then "more coordinated and effective measures against terrorists is necessary".

He said terrorists cannot succeed by carrying out such explosions to weaken the national fabric because "the people of Maharashtra will show the same resilience as that of the people of Mumbai after the serial train blasts".

Raja appealed to the people to remain united and maintain communal harmony at all costs.