The Hindu : National : It is a shame, says Jethmalani

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Friday, May 07, 2004

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National

It is a shame, says Jethmalani

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 6. The former Union Minister, Ram Jethmalani, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow against the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said today that it was a "shame that the Prime Minister of this country should not only strike an electoral alliance with Jayalalithaa but be seen in full public view indulging in mutual adoration and camaraderie."

Briefing mediapersons here, Mr. Jethmalani quoted from the Supreme Court judgment in the Tansi case to support his charge against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. "If Atalji has any respect for the rule of law, court decisions and even a modicum of self-respect, he should not be seen in her company..."

Also, he questioned Mr. Vajpayee's position on Muslims. "It is easy to say that Gujarat will not happen again. Why did he not raise a finger when Muslims were being killed for several days at a stretch? And, if he is so committed to Muslims as he claims, why did the party give a ticket to someone like Adityanath in Gorakhpur?"

Mr. Jethmalani was critical of the media for not giving his campaign in Lucknow due coverage. "The media falsely projected Atalji as invincible and did not highlight any of the charges that I brought up against him."

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