New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday lashed out at Rahul
Gandhi for his claims of police brutality and rape in Greater
Noida villages, and said the Congress leader should refrain
from making such statements without ascertaining facts.
"While being in opposition, we should be careful not to
hurt the sentiments of people we are supporting...though
atrocities have been committed against farmers, Rahul Gandhi
has no right to insult the women and poor farmers of the area
by claiming on TV that they have been raped," BJP spokesperson
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told a press conference here.
He said without carrying out proper investigations and
ascertaining facts, Gandhi should not make such comments.
"His statement is an effort by Congress to make the
fight directionless," Hussain alleged.
Taking a dig at Gandhi, he said the Congress leader
should read out from a prepared text as he often fumbles even
while participating in parliamentary debates. "He should read
out from written text so that his (Congress) spokesperson does
not have to defend him later."
"Congress will encash the bond it has from the two
parties," he alleged.
Asked whether BJP supported the demand of Congress for
an independent probe into the violence, he said a joint
Parliamentary team should investigate the matter to bring out
the truth.
Commenting on the feedback BJP leaders have received
from the residents of village Bhatta Parsaul, Hussain said
while there had been incidents of atrocities, nobody has come
forward with complaints of rape.
"If Rahul Gandhi knows that rapes have been committed,
he should ensure that a case is registered in this regard. He
should not go to the media with the allegations," he said.
Hussain said if Mayawati thinks Gandhi has made a
misleading statement, then she should take action against him.
But at the same time he hinted that it was not possible as
"match has been fixed" between the two parties.
"Neither is Congress, nor Gandhi serious about the
plight of the farmers. If at all he is serious, has the Centre
issued an advisory to the state government under Article 355,"
he questioned.
He said the BJP was serious about the Land Acquisition
Bill with amendments and would support it in Parliament. The
BJP MP also scoffed at suggestions that Rahul`s stand on UP
violence was supported by party veteran L K Advani and young
MP Varun Gandhi.
PTI
