NCP blasts BJP for anti-Pratibha campaign

Mumbai, June 28 (UNI) Coming out in defence of UPA Presidential nominee Pratibha Patil, Maharashtra Pradesh Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today accused the BJP of spreading lies to suit its convenience.

''This is an old habit of the BJP. It feels it has the right to call anybody tainted. If they were so sure about the authenticity of the allegations, why did the party keep quiet when Ms Patil became the Rajasthan Governor in 2004,''NCP spokesman Madan Bafna said at a news conference here.

The party ridiculed the demand of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya for a CBI probe in the alleged wheat import scam. ''His allegations about a Rs 550-crore scam hold no water. Wheat import, procurement is decided by the union cabinet, where various ministries are also involved,''he said adding that the decision to import wheat was taken by the NDA government.

Mr Bafna said the disciplinary committee of the state unit, which met yesterday under the chairmanship of senior party leader Madhukarrao Pichad, reviewed the complaints of indiscipline and factionalism received from various districts. It will meet again next week.

Replying to questions, Mr Bafna said the committee will be able to curb indiscipline.''As the party grows, groupism, differences of opinion also tend to increase,''he added.

UNI