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Congress dumps Tytler & Sajjan

— PHOTO: AP

FORCEFUL PROTEST: Sikh campaigners help a demonstrator after police foiled his attempt to scale the gates of the Karkardooma court complex in New Delhi on Thursday. Protesters have blocked roads and rail lines for several days, mainly in Punjab, against the clean chit given to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler by the CBI, in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday evening decided to drop Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar as its candidates for the Lok Sabha elections after the two – under fire for their alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots – “offered to withdraw” from the contest in view of the controversy over their candidature.

The announcement came soon after Mr. Tytler – who was to contest the North-East Delhi seat – told journalists that he would not pursue his candidature, as the issue had caused considerable embarrassment to the party.

Sajjan Kumar

The decision was taken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in consultation with the party’s senior leadership.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Tytler and Mr. Kumar – fielded in South Delhi – met senior leaders Pranab Mukherjee, Ahmed Patel, Janardhan Dwivedi and Oscar Fernandes. The two were apparently asked to step down in view of the controversy that could not only affect the Congress prospects in the Capital but also in Punjab; two States were the party is hoping to do well.

Jagdish Tytler

Responding to questions after announcing the withdrawal of ticket to the two, Mr. Dwivedi refuted the charge that the party had buckled under public pressure.

“Some parties and people have tried to create an atmosphere due to which these two leaders expressed their wish to withdraw in the larger interest of the party, and we respect that sentiment,” he said.

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