Gehlot hits out at Pawar

New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot today said that the Nationalist Congress Party and its President Sharad Pawar had "come out in true colours" in the victory of industrialist Rahul Bajaj in the Rajya Sabha byelection from Maharashtra while the Congress has won inspite of defeat of its candidate.

"The NCP which proclaims to be a secular party stands exposed in this election," Mr Gehlot told UNI here, adding Mr Pawar joined hands with communal parties like the BJP and Shiv Sena in fielding Mr Bajaj as a candidate and ensured his victory.

Mr Gehlot said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had raised the banner of secularism and with its strength was instrumental in having a UPA coalition Govenment formed at the Centre. "While the Congress party still stands by secularism,Mr Pawar could not reamin firm on his claims of secularism and his claim stands exposed." The Congress, he said, never compromised with communal forces inspite of being out of power for eight years and was still treading the same path. Therefore the defeat of its candidate is in fact a victory."Our fight is on ideological ground." UNI YS RP KP1939