Cong holds Raje squarely responsible for violence

New Delhi, June 1(UNI) The Congress today held Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje squarely responsible for the dangerous turn the events in the state have taken due to the violence let loose by the Gujjars, provoked by the police firing in Dausa, Bundi.

"While every one was aware and there was sufficient warning in the media and elsewhere that clashes were likely to occur, the Chief Minister chose to remain abroad for 20 days and failed to take a single step to pre-empt such incidents," Congress Spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan said.

"She (Raje)should accept moral responsibility for culpable inaction and failure on her part," she said briefing mediapersons here, adding the BJP also failed to take a single step to direct its Chief Minister to restore normalcy.

Mrs Natrajan on behalf of her party appealed to all the people in Rajasthan to maintain calm and harmony and said it was the Chief Minister's responsbility to restore and provide security to the citizens without any further delay. The Centre on its part would take the necessary steps to contain the situation. It was because of the para military forces that the situation had to some extent been brought under control, she added.

Asked about the demand for reservation as ST status for Gujjars, the Spokesperson said it was a serious and complicated issue requiring widest possible consultations at the national level with stake holders.

UNI