The Hindu : National : Stampede: Opposition expresses shock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 13, 2004

National

National

Stampede: Opposition expresses shock

By Our Special Correspondent

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, at a mortuary in Lucknow, where the bodies of those killed in a stampede on Monday were kept. — Photo: Subir Roy

NEW DELHI, APRIL 12. The Opposition parties today expressed shock over the death of nearly 25 persons in a stampede in Lucknow, and said the Election Commission should take note of the ``violation of the code of conduct by the Bharatiya Janata Party.''

The Congress took objection to the distribution of saris by the senior BJP leader, Lalji Tandon, on the occasion of his birthday.

``The Election Commission should take note of this brazen violation of the model code of conduct in the Prime Minister's constituency,'' the party spokesperson, Anand Sharma said.

The senior Congress leaders, Birender Singh, (who is in-charge of the party affairs in State), and Salman Khursheed, too expressed grief over the tragedy. Mr. Singh urged the Commission to take note of the ``violation'' and ``inducement to voters.'' The distribution of saris only exposed the BJP's claim that the ``feel good'' factor was at work.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said it was shameful that such inducements were being made in the Prime Minister's constituency, and demanded that the BJP leadership explain how such distribution could take place at the time of elections. The CPI said the BJP lacked morality by organising such a function, which definitely was not a private affair considering the number of people who turned up.

The party's national secretary D. Raja, said the incident reflected the dimension of poverty even in the Prime Minister's constituency and showed how hollow was the claim of ``India Shining.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National