Alva episode exposed Cong character: BJP

Bhopal, Nov 12 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party's Madhya Pradesh unit today labelled the Margaret Alva episode as one that exposed the ''undemocratic'' character of the Congress and its ''lack'' of internal democracy.

''The Congress General Secretary (who has since quit the post) is facing the consequences of speaking the truth and the incident exposed the Congress' true character. It is a direct attack on democracy,'' BJP state Vice-President Anil Madhav Dave told reporters here.

Alleging that it was nothing new to the Congress and began during Indira Gandhi's tenure, he added that the tradition was continuing.

When it was pointed out that the BJP had also meted out similar treatment to Bharatiya Jan Shakti Founder-President and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti, Mr Dave claimed that the difference lay in Ms Bharti's case being an ''internal matter'' while Ms Alva's case related to ''purity'' of the poll process.

Ms Alva also indicated that ''horse-trading'' was going on in Congress' ticket distribution in Rajasthan.

Significantly, the Congress initiated disciplinary action against Ms Alva, who said in a television interview that the Congress sold tickets during the Karnataka hustings.

UNI BDG AC RP AS1800