Allegations on NBA absurd, ready for any inquiry: Medha

Bhopal, July 8 (UNI) Describing the allegations regarding involvement in seditious activities against the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) as baseless, NBA leader said the organisation was prepared to face any kind of inquiry.

Talking to mediapersons, Ms Patkar, who was here to participate at a two-day meeting of National Alliance of People's Movement, said the NBA will file its response to the notice.

She said Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua-resident Rahul Banerjee, who had been described as NBA member, was never an activist of the NBA. She admitted she knew Mr Banerjee well and the latter had been supporting the movement. However, the NBA had no financial links with him.

Ms Patkar said only Mr Banerjee could reply to the allegations against levelled against him.

Describing the allegations on the NBA as a part of conspiracy to divert the nation's attention from serious issues of submergence and displacement in the Narmada Valley, she said the petition was politically motivated aimed at maligning the NBA.

She raised question on the credibility of petitioner National Council for Civil Liberties' (NCCL) Chairman V K Saxena saying he had previously tried to defame the NBA.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre, MP and Gujarat governments, the NBA through Ms Patkar and Mr Banerjee on a petition demanding a CBI inquiry into the seditious activities of the NBA.

UNI SD-PS 1729