BJP leaders visiting Rahul Mahajan a 'human gesture'

New Delhi, June 8: Justifying the action of some BJP leaders calling on Rahul Mahajan, son of their late General Secretary Pramod Mahajan, in custody, BJP today said it should be viewed as a 'humane gesture' and not a party matter.

BJP Spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party had never been unsympathetic to the plight of Mahajan's family. Today senior BJP leaders Kalraj Mishra and BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had been to Tughlak Road Police Station to inquire about the well being of Rahul who is accused of possession and consumption of narcotic drugs. ''BJP does not interfere in the process of law while at the same time shows a fraternal feeling towards the family members of its late respected leader Pramod Mahajan,'' Mr Prasad said.

He chose to skip questions to the effect that the BJP leaders were calling on Rahul Mahajan at the dictates of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has been the only leader to come out openly in favour of the junior Mahajan after his arrest by saying that the BJP will take him on the right path. ''Mr Vajpayee is a father figure and there is no question of disregarding his wishes'', he said. He also chose to ignore the suggestions that former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde had sought BJP's intervention to insulate Mahajan family from the ignominy.

The BJP has been officially maintaining that the troubles faced by the members of Mahajan family had nothing to do with the party.

About the policemen ill-treating the staff members of Mahajan family during the investigations of Vivek Moitra's death, Mr Prasad, a former Union Minister and a lawyer himself, said it will be too early to comment. ''We are watching the developments. We have taken note of the notice issued by National Human Rights Commission but to make comments at this stage is too premature to impute motives against the police'', he said.

UNI

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