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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Congress: political melodrama

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday dubbed as “political melodrama” Bhairon Singh Shekhawat declaring his assets and said the Bharatiya Janata Party was playing out a farce by making public something for which there was no law.

“We strongly believe it is a political drama with no relevance. It is not required under law and the Returning Officer cannot even accept it if it is filed,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

The Congress was responding to questions on whether the United Progressive Alliance-Left candidate Pratibha Patil would follow suit. Asked whether the Congress was ruling out the possibility of Ms. Patil making such a declaration, Mr. Singhvi said: “whether we do so is our decision.”

The Congress said the BJP should deny or clarify the statement made by Mr. Shekhawat on the floor of the Rajasthan Assembly regarding a CBI probe into a case of his close relative when the Centre denied any such investigation or specific allegations regarding his suspension from police.

“The nation is waiting for a response and this is truly the BJP’s last chance. Five days are left for them to set the record straight. The BJP should search its inner soul and consider retrieving some prestige …” Mr. Singhvi said.

He, however, said it was not part of the BJP “culture” to apologise or show repentance and charged that the party had played to perfection the role of “irresponsible opposition party.”

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