Pachouri targets MP CM for Rahul remarks

Bhopal, Sep 27 (UNI) Reacting to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's allegation that the Congress was indulging in dynastic politics, Union Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri tonight said that it would be better if Mr Chouhan first looked at his family and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The visiting political leader was responding to a question about Mr Chouhan describing Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi's elevation to the post of Congress General Secretary as furtherance of dynastic politics.

''The Nehru-Gandhi family's contribution to the country's independence and afterwards is known to all. Therefore, the propriety of the Chief Minister's statement - regarding a democratically-elected public representative - is beyond comprehension. The reaction to Mr Gandhi's being appointed General Secretary was favourable within the Congress and among the public,'' he claimed.

Pointing out that not only India but also in several other countries, the next generation of a political family accepted and skillfully furthered the tradition, Mr Pachouri added that in the BJP several national and Madhya Pradesh-level leaders had their sons and daughters in politics.

''The difference is only that the responsibility being bestowed on Mr Gandhi led to a wave of joy in the public and party while in the BJP unfavourable reactions are observed when similar things happen. I advise the Chief Minister to be restrained while commenting on such issues and concentrate on his party,'' he said.

UNI