Cong in nexus with Shiv Sena in attacks on north Indians: UNPA

New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) The UNPA tonight launched a blistering attack on the Congress-led Government at the Centre and Maharashtra for remaining a ''mute spectator'' to the violence against north Indians.

''Thousands of north Indians were fleeing Maharashtra, due to the violence instigated by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) led by Raj Thackeray, but the state and the central governments were keeping quiet for electoral expediency,'' UNPA Chairperson Mulayam Singh told a press conference here.

He said it was unfortunate that the situation prevailing in Maharashtra was posing a threat to the integrity of the country, but it was making no difference to the Centre, he said.

The Samajwadi party chief said he was happy that north Indians were not reacting to the events in Maharashtra and appealed to them to maintain the social harmony in respect of Maharashtra people in their states.

Mr Amar Singh of his party also came down heavily on the Congress handling of the whole issue.

He accused the ruling party of being in nexus with the Shiv Sena for creating a base for itself in the state in view of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Singh said the Centre's apathy to north Indians could be seen with its apathy for the plight of farmers, as most of north Indians were small farmers who had to leave their state in search of livelihood.

The Congress handling of the events in Maharshtra is also likely to come under sharp attack at tomorrow's demonstration organised by the UNPA here.

UNI NAZ MIR RN2245