Adv Majeed Memon blasts Gadkari for anti-NCP remarks

Mumbai, Oct 12 (UNI) NCP secretary Majeed Memon has described Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari's comments, criticising NCP as a clear manifestation, of utter frustration of BJP on account of the phenomenal growth of the party in the state.

''The statement is also factually erroneous on several counts. Mr Gadkari claims that I have expressed my views against singing 'Vande Mataram', whereas I have never commented on this issue. Again he alleges - that NCP General Secretary Tariq Anwar pleaded for mercy to Afzal, which is an anti-national act. I have verified from records and Mr Anwar himself, who is presently out of India, that he only expressed his opinion against death penalty generally. NCP president Sharad Pawar has also made it very clear that we all must respect the verdict of the highest court,'' Mr Memon said.

Mr Gadkari has expressed his displeasure with my appointment as national secretary of the party because I had appeared for some of the accused in bomb blasts case as their defence lawyer.

''Mr Gadkari forgot that his party's senior leader and Union minister Jaswant Singh has personally released and escorted hardcore terrorist in Kandhar highjack episode. Furthermore my Mr Ram Jethmalani had been publicly advising Dawood Ibrahim himself when he was Union Law Minister during the NDA's tenure at Centre.

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