BJP's moral character exposed after Katara's suspension: Cong

Ahmedabad, Apr 18 (UNI) The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the true moral character of the BJP has been exposed after its suspended MP from Dahod Babubhai Katara was held with a woman impersonating as his wife while they were about to board an aircraft to Canada at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi today.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Mr Gohil said ''The incident of a MP taking a Punjabi woman with him on his wife's passport clearly shows the BJP's true moral character. Forgery, impersonation and false representation is nothing new to the BJP.'' The Leader of the Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Arjun Modhwadia, who was also present at the news conference, said ''the people are slowly realising the true face of the BJP.'' ''From Bangaru Laxman to Babubhai Katara the same vein of bribery, corruption and characterlessness is becoming evident. Even to ask questions in Parliament, the BJP MPs were caught by the media taking bribes, Mr Modhwadia alleged.

Mr Katara is known as a giant killer after he defeated Congress strongman Somjibhai Damor in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Damor had been winning the Parliamentary elections to Dahod constitutency for continuous six terms.

Mr Katara not only defeated him but also retained his Lok Sabha constituency in 2004. Incidentally, he was head of the VHP's Dharma Prachar Samiti before he became an MP.

Neighbours at his native Zalod village were today tight-lipped.

After the news broke out in the afternoon, Mr Katara's daughter who was in the house alone, left in a hurry, locals said. His wife Sardaben had left with him earlier.

Meanwhile, State Home Minister Amit Shah said ''When the party has suspended Mr Katara, where is the need for me to say anything on the issue.'' Reacting to the news, the district BJP president Motisinh Mali said ''If this incident is true then it is condemnable. The central parliamentary board has taken the right step in promptly suspending him from the party. What more can be done other than this,'' he asked.

He said ''I find it hard to believe that Mr Katara would have done this. On prima facie evidence the party has taken a quick decision.'' When asked whether this incident will affect the fortunes of the party, Mr Mali replied in the negative, saying ''This will not have any impact.'' UNI