'BJP trying to create communal divide in Goa'

Kochi, Mar 06: All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Margaret Alva today (Mar 06, 2006) accused the BJP of trying to create a communal divide in Goa.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the general body meeting of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here, Mrs Alva claimed that ''BJP activists unnecessarily demolished a madrassa on government land in Goa.'' Mrs Alva said while the 'madrassa', being on government land, had to be removed, ''this should have been done by law and not by the BJP.'' ''It seems that the BJP is trying everything possible to create a communal divide in Goa,'' she added.

Mrs Alva said she was heading for Goa from here to assess the situation. Demanding that firm action should be taken against those involved in the demolition and the subsequent clashes, even if they were MLAs or ministers, Mrs Alva said the law was the same for all.

''Whoever breaks the law has to be dealt with,'' she added.

On the Congress stand on a tie-up with the Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee, Mrs Alva said that 15 party leaders and five special observers were coming to Delhi from West Bengal tomorrow and a final decision would be taken after discussions with them.

UNI