MPCC to probe Jalgaon/Ramtek Lok Sabha by-poll defeat

Mumbai, Apr 19 (UNI) Stung by the defeats suffered in the Jalgaon and Ramtek Lok Sabha by-elections, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has decided to probe the electoral reverses.

Addressing a press conference here today, MPCC spokesman Hussain Dalwai said the party would be analysing the results and whether there was any let-up in the campaigning. ''We have accepted the mandate of the people. Even though we lost, the percentage of votes polled by us has risen,'' he said.

Mr Dalwai refused to comment on Revenue Minister Narayan Rane's remarks to the media immediately after the results that the party itself was responsible for the defeat in Ramtek as some leaders could not tolerate his growing clout.

He condemned the attack on the Star TV office and questioned the silence of Shiv Sena-BJP in this regard. ''It is surprising they have kept quiet and did not come out against the attack on the pillar of democracy,''he said and demanded strict action against the culprits.

Mr Dalwai also expressed shock and anger at the arrest of BJP MP Babubhai Katara in a case of impersonation/human trafficking.

''The fact the the MP belongs to BJP, which preaches values of culture and morality to the people, is all the more shocking. The party's six MPs were caught on camera in the cash-for query scam earlier,''he said.

UNI