Mulayam defending SIMI for political gains: Cong

Varanasi, July 20 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Congress today alleged the Mulayam Singh Yadav government was defending the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for political gains.

Interacting with newspersons in the neighbouring Chandauli district, UP Congress president Salman Khurshid criticised the Samajwadi Party for giving clean chit to SIMI.

''How can a government give clean chit to an outfit, whose role is under scanner following the Mumbai serial blasts. UP government should have first ordered a probe into SIMI activities and only after the findings give statement against or in defence of the outfit should have been issued,'' Mr Khurshid said.

The former union minister also charged the SP government of not fully cooperating with the Centre in the fight against terrorism and naxalism.

Mr Khurshid also hinted the Congress was not averse to joining forces with like minded parties, especially small political outfits in the next assembly polls in UP.

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