BJP offers to withdraw case against Scindia

Bhopal, Sep 28 (UNI) Less than 48 hours after a criminal case under sections 506 and 336 IPC was registered against Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia in Shivpuri district, the BJP government has offered to withdraw the case on mutual consent saying there was ''no political vendetta'' behind it.

Denying the Congress charge of vendetta, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Himmat Kothari said police had registered cases on complaints from both parties as per the procedure in a democratic set-up and the law would take its course.

Asked whether the government would consider withdrawing the case, Mr Kothari told UNI that ''though he was yet to go into the details, suitable action as per law would be taken if complainants from both sides agreed to close it''.

Referring to Union Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri's threat that the Congress would consider launching an agitation if the case was not withdrawn, Mr Kothari said though everybody had a right to protest in a democracy he would like to request all to desist from 'politicising' the issue.

The case relates to a clash between the supporters of Mr Scindia and Rashtriya Samanata Dal MLA Harivallabh Shukla in Pohri area of Shivpuri district on Wednesday. Mr Shukla, a local MLA, had inaugurated few road construction works even before the arrival of Mr Scindia, who was late by two hours. Police registered cases on complaints from both sides.

Shivpuri observed a shut-down yesterday and Congress leaders staged a sit-in to protest the incident.

While condemning the incident, Mr Pachouri alleged that the case was registered against Mr Scindia due to political rivalry.

In New Delhi, the issue was raised with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil by a Congress delegation, led by Madhya Pradesh incharge General Secretary V Narayanasamy.

The Congress claimed that Mr Scindia was framed in a false case in retaliation for lodging a complaint against Mr Shukla for attacking a Dalit woman.

Mr Shukla, Rashtriya Samanata Dal MLA from Pohri, had unsuccessfully contested the last Lok Sabha election against Mr Scindia from Guna on a BJP ticket. The Congress had taken up the issue with the Assembly Speaker under the anti-defection law.

UNI