BJP to rake up ATS issue with EC in Bhopal

Bhopal, Nov 17: The BJP has objected to its rival Congress raising the Sadhvi Pragya Singh issue in the elections and said it would take up the matter with the Election Commission (EC).

''We are examining all aspects regarding the functioning of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra and a formal complaint will be lodged with the Election Commission. Selective leakage and running commentary of the investigation were highly objectionable'', BJP vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu told a news conference here today.

The Congress is levelling allegations against the BJP on the basis of the ATS comments, he pointed out, adding ''Sadhu, Sant, Sadhvi and Sena'' were being maligned alleging terror links.

Involvement of individuals would not be pinpointed to blame the entire community. BJP was not defending anybody, he clarified.

The BJP leader said the party would also take up with the Election Commission the alleged role of some dacoits in the elections in Vijaypur constituency in Madhya Pradesh.

Admitting that nearly seven strong rebels were in the fray, Mr Naidu said disciplinary action would be taken against them if the attempts of persuasions to withdraw from contest did not yield any result.

Describing as ''irresponsible'' senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh's remark dubbing senior BJP leader L K Advani as ''father of terrorism'', Mr Naidu said Mr Singh was making such 'sweeping statements' out of frustration as he had been sidelined in the Congress.

''Instead of taking up the matter with the poll panel, we would prefer to take the issue before the people'', he added.

UNI