BJP demands unconditional apology from Sonia

Varanasi, Apr 16 (UNI) The BJP today demanded an unconditional apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her statement, where she reportedly termed Uttar Pradesh as 'Barbad Pradesh' (ruined state).

''By making such an irresponsible statment, Ms Gandhi has hurt the sentiments of the population of this most crucial Indian state,'' BJP national general secretary Ananth Kumar told newspersons here.

''BJP as well as the entire Uttar Pradesh demands an apology from the Congress president for making such a statement failing which a statewide movement will be launched,'' Mr Kumar warned.

The former union minister further held the Congress responsible for the present state of affairs in the state saying, ''Congress cannot shed its share of blame for the sorry state of affairs by merely addressing the state as ruined.'' ''If the ruling Samajwadi Party and BSP are the two brothers who have destroyed the state, then Congress is the mother of the two siblings which has helped their non-development agenda by religiously pursuing the practice of minority appeasement,'' Mr Kumar alleged.

Ms Gandhi, yesterday, at an election meeting in Barabanki district, addressed Uttar Pradesh as 'Barbad Pradesh.' Raking up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin again, Mr Kumar said, ''it is high time the Congress rank and file came clear on whether they want to be led by a person born in India or someone from foreign soil. They have to choose whether they want to further the old practice of sycophancy to a particular family or else stand on their own.'' UNI