Cong rakes up Gujarat, targets Modi

Smita Sharma & 

Ravi Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

Asked to react to the life sentence handed to its former MP Sajjan Kumar in the anti-Sikh massacre of 1984, the Congress today chose to attack the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Responding to questions as to why didn’t the party distance itself from the riots-tainted leader, senior leader Kapil Sibal said, “Sajjan Kumar wasn’t given any ticket by our party and he doesn’t hold any office.”

The Congress went on the offensive against PM Modi when asked about the decision to appoint another 1984 riots accused, Kamal Nath, as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. “What about the allegations made against the then Chief Minister in the 2002 Gujarat violence. Rather than questioning Kamal Nath, one should question Prime Minister Modi for riots that took place under his nose,” said Sibal, who was flanked by senior party faces Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Parliament.

He said BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley were trying to give political colours to the court’s verdict. “They should stop doing so. It is the court’s decision and we accept it,” he said.

The Congress line of attack, however, led to some discomfort in the Opposition alliance partners. Welcoming the delayed verdict, Manoj Jha of the RJD said: “We have always maintained that in any genocidal violence, whether 1984 or 2002, the victims need justice. The RJD will never equate genocidal episode ‘A’ with genocidal episode ‘B’. The victims of mass violence must get justice immediately if the idea of India has to remain.”

“Law has taken its course and finally justice has been delivered. It should be accepted,” said CPI leader D Raja. “If there is credible evidence, the law must take its course and the Congress has to make its decisions,” he responded when asked about Kamal Nath. “Because Arun Jaitley is part of the government, he thinks he can take credit for it. But there is a jurisprudence and legal system in the country,” the CPI MP remarked.

The CPM said the law had taken 34 long years to finally catch up and deliver justice. “All victims of communal violence whether they are from 1984, 2002 or other such incidents should get justice. Political leaders who led, backed and shielded the mobs must be brought to justice,” the CPM politburo said in a statement.

Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party said there was a long delay in the verdict with many family members of the victims having died while waiting for justice. He also attacked the Congress for rubbing salt in the wounds of Sikhs by appointing Kamal Nath as the Madhya Pradesh CM.

‘Sajjan doesn't hold any office’

• Responding to questions as to why didn’t the party distance itself from the riots-tainted leader, senior leader Kapil Sibal said, “Sajjan Kumar wasn’t given any ticket by our party and he doesn't hold any office.”
• The CPM said the law had taken 34 long years to finally catch up and deliver justice. "All victims of communal violence whether they are from 1984, 2002 or other such incidents should get justice,” it said.
• Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party said there was a long delay in the verdict with many family members of the victims having died while waiting for justice.