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Congress flays JD (U) over MPs resignation issue

Special Correspondent

“JD(U) is fooling people since general elections are nearer”

NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Minister from Bihar, Shakeel Ahmed on Monday accused Janata Dal (United) of attempting to project the party as the sole representative protecting Bihar interests by offering resignations of its Lok Sabha MPs over Maharashtra imbroglio.

Asked to clarify whether the Congress MPs too would join the protest, Minister of State for Home, Mr.Ahmed said party representatives will be among the group, provided there is a consensus among all political parties to resign enmasse.

He said all MPs and Ministers from Bihar had agreed to go in an all-party delegation under the leadership of Mr. Nitish Kumar, the State Chief Minister.

He said later the JD (U) president Sharad Yadav announced that party MPs in the Lok Sabha would put in their papers if no action was taken against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for attacks against people from Bihar.

“The JD (U) is fooling people since only few months are left for general elections. They are trying to convey that only JD (U) is more worried about the people of Bihar,” he said here.

He said in case there is a consensus then every member should resign and tour the country explaining the injustice being meted out to people from Bihar. Asked whether Congress MPs have sought permission from the leadership for doing so, Mr. Ahmed said in his opinion Congress high command would not stand in the way in case representatives take up issues in the interest of people from the State.

To a question on the party stand vis-À-vis Union Minister Praful Patel’s comment on the ongoing controversy, he said on certain issues the Minister spoke like a representative of Nationalist Congress Party and on some backed “son of the soil” issue. Mr. Ahmed said while there was nothing wrong to give preference to people of the State, but that should not result in abusing others and indulging in violence.

Most respected leader

Dismissing Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh’s charge against Prime Minster, the Congress spokesperson Dr. Manmohan Singh is one the most respected leader in the party who has worked for every strata in the country. “He is the more respected, tall and acceptable leader and if any one doubts his stature then it reflects that person’s mentality,” he said.

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