'Affidavit withdrawal a publicity gimmick'

Indore, Sep 16: Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) President Uma Bharti today described withdrawal of controversial affidavit over the 'Ram Setu' from the Supreme Court by the Centre as a publicity gimmick of the Congress.

Ms Bharti, while talking to reporters before leading a protest against Reliance Fresh here, said filing an affidavit denying existence of Lord Rama was a big mistake. Congress President Sonia Gandhi stepping into it for withdrawing the affidavit was a mere publicity gimmick.

On allegations that the Setu Samundram project had been prepared during the previous NDA Government regime, she said the project got approval under the present government. The fiery sanyasin claimed that she had raised the 'Ram Setu' issue and the BJP had taken it up now.

She said various saints had shown interest in protesting against the project but had decided to remain away for fear of being dubbed a saint of the BJP.

UNI