Congress hits back at BJP over de-recognition

Shimla, Nov 19 (UNI) Hitting back at the BJP, which had sought its de-recognition over continuing spat with the Election Commission, the Congress today sought the BJP's de-recognition over the Gujarat riots.

''It is the BJP that should be de-recognised for its Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi's central role in the 2002 riots in the state,'' party's general secretary and spokesman Kuldeep Rathore said at a press conference here.

He said action should be taken against the BJP following the expose by a private news channel, which re-established Mr Modi's role in the riots.

Terming the BJP's yesterday's rally as a flop show, Mr Rathore said it was not an impressive rally, which had been touted as the formal launching of the party's campaign in the state.

He said the rally, which was supposed to be a rally for ''youth'', ignored the issues pertaining to this section.

''Not a single issue pertaining to the youth was raised in the rally. Besides no youth leader was allowed to address the gathering,'' the Congress leader said.

Referring to the list of the party candidates for the second phase of polling on December 19, he said the party's screening committee meeting which was held yesterday evening, was again holding a meeting today to finalise the names of the candidates.

The Congress' list of contestants would be released in couple of days after receiving the AICC's nod, he said, adding that its manifesto was also being given a final shape and would be released soon.

A meeting of party's manifesto committee was held yesterday in Delhi and it was decided that issues concerning all segments of society would be included in the document, he said.

Mr Rathore said that AICC President Sonia Gandhi and general secretary, in-charge of the Youth Congress and National Students Union of India (NSUI), Rahul Gandhi would be the party's star campaigner in the ensuing assembly elections.

UNI