NCP blasts Gadkari for calling it anti-nationalist

Mumbai, Oct 12 (UNI) Coming down heavily on BJP President Nitin Gadkari's comments against it, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today said it did not require a certificate of patriotism from anybody.

Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesman Madan Bafna reacted sharply to Mr Gadkari describing NCP as ''anti-Nationalist Congress Party'' after NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar who is a Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra, had demanded clemency for Mohammed Afzal and said that the convict's death sentence be commuted to life.

''Such comments were unwarranted. These are just means to divert attention from his own party's internal squabblings,'' he added.

Mr Pawar has already clarified that his party was against comments and opinions against court verdicts. ''Mr Pawar has categorically stated that court verdicts should be respected,'' he added.

''I can understand Mr Gadkari's anger. Many BJP activists are joining the NCP including former BJP veteran Anna Dange'' Mr Bafna said, reiterating that the reported comments of Mr Anwar on Afzal may be his personal views and not that of the party.

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