Rahul plays ‘Orissa nun’ ; Fabricate Rape stories!

Rahul has hurt sentiments of women: Shahnawaz
PNS | New Delhi

What in the first instance appeared Congress’s lead over its rivals in the Bhatta Parsaul agitation has soon turned into an embarrassment of sorts for the party after its leader Rahul Gandhi’s goof-up with ‘misleading’ claims about rape on women of the Uttar Pradesh village.

As women of the village adjoining the national capital rejected Rahul’s rape claims, Opposition BJP lapped up the opportunity to hit out at the Congress leader for ‘hurting sentiments’ of the fair sex. Rahul had led a delegation of victims to Prime Minister on Monday claiming rape and murder that have not been reported to the police.

“While being in Opposition, we should be careful not to hurt the sentiments of people we are supporting…Though atrocities have been committed against farmers, Rahul Gandhi has no right to insult the women and poor farmers of the area by claiming on TV that they have been raped,” BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here on Wednesday.

Asking Mayawati to take action against the Congress leader if she thinks that he has made a misleading statement, Hussain, added, “If Rahul knows that rapes have been committed, he should ensure that a case is registered in this regard. He should not go to the media with the allegations.”

The Congress was intending to benefit from Rahul’s dharna at the village and his goof-up left the party leaders engaging themselves in a face saving exercise. Shahnawaz, however, claimed Rahul’s statement was an effort by Congress to make directionless the campaign against Mayawati, whose party has bailed out the UPA Government during times of crisis.

“He should not make claims without ascertaining facts and carrying out proper investigation,” the former Union Minister said.

Hussain mocked the Congress leader for “fumbling” in even saying a line. “He should read out from a prepared text as he often fumbles even while participating in Parliamentary debates. He should read out from written text so that his (Congress) spokesperson does not have to defend him later,” Hussain added.

But the BJP did not respond to queries if UP was a perfect case for President’s rule – for obvious reasons as its Government in Karnataka is facing a similar problem. It attempted to throw the ball in Congress’ court saying its Government will not dismiss the BSP regime for the reason that it has helped the UPA Government on several occasions. “Congress will encash the bond it has with the two parties (BSP and SP),” he alleged.

Asked whether BJP supported the demand of Congress for an independent probe into the violence, he said a joint Parliamentary team should investigate the matter to bring out the truth.

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