The Hindu : Advani's yatra criticised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2004

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National

Advani's yatra criticised

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 15. The Congress Working Committee member, Salman Khurshid, today described the rath yatra undertaken by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, as the "yatra of cold (reception)" and that of the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, as the "yatra of warmth and friendship."

"The contrast is too obvious to go unnoticed. Mr. Advani travels atop an air-conditioned bus maintaining a safe distance from the people, while Ms. Gandhi goes about in a small car, gets down often to touch, feel and reach out to the people," he said at a press conference here.

Mr. Khurshid's objection to Mr. Advani's "yatra" was on three counts. It carried the historical baggage of his earlier "yatra" that left a trail of communal hatred and killings. Secondly, by remaining away from work for 30 long days, he was "abdicating" his responsibility of holding a sensitive portfolio. The theme of the "yatra" itself was "dubious" and the claim of all-round development was not supported by any data. It looked hollow as thousands of farmers had committed suicide and in the human development index, the country declined from the 124th to the 127th position.

Mr. Khurshid criticised what he called Mr. Advani's comments that only a Hindu party such as the BJP could hold successful talks with Pakistan, indirectly "casting aspersions" on the Muslims of the country.

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