|
Cong: Remarks
against dignity of democracy New Delhi: The Congress today termed RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s recent statement on Varun Gandhi as against the tradition of democracy. “The manner in which Lalu has expressed his view does not befit the dignity and traditions of democracy,” Congress spokesperson Ashwini Kumar said when asked to comment on Lalu’s statement. — PTI |
Patna, April 7
Two FIRs were filed today against RJD chief Lalu Prasad for violation of the model code of conduct for his remarks against BJP candidate Varun Gandhi at Kishanganj in Bihar and another in Jharkhand when his helicopter landed at the venue of an election meeting.
This is probably for the first time that a Union minister has been slapped with two FIRs on one day.
The first FIR, having more serious charges, was filed in Kishanganj for his remarks at an election rally yesterday that he would have crushed Varun Gandhi under a “roller without caring for consequences”.
Taking immediate cognisance of Lalu’s utterances, the District Magistrate-cum-District Election Officer, Kishanganj, today registered a case against the RJD chief for allegedly trying to create communal disturbances, even as the RJD supremo went on a damage control mode following his provocative remarks that he would have crushed Varun Gandhi under a “roller” saying he meant to suggest “roller of law”.
Facing the heat a day after his aggressive posturing against Varun, the former Bihar Chief Minister went on the defensive telling an election meeting in Garwah in Jharkhand: “What I meant was crushing him under the roller of law had I been the Home Minister”.
Lalu later told newsmen: “I said it doesn't matter how powerful a person maybe if someone indulges in opportunistic and communal politics then he will be bulldozed legally and politically. He will not be spared as far as I am concerned.” Lalu's controversial remarks yesterday came on how he would have dealt with
Varun Gandhi’s anti-Muslim speeches.
The district election authorities had got Lalu’s speech recorded. After the media raised an uproar over Lalu’s hate speech, the district magistrate and other officials viewed the CD and decided to lodge a case against Lalu. The BJP has reacted sharply over Lalu’s statement and demanded that the minister be also put behind bars and the National Security Act (NSA) be slapped against him as well.
However, Lalu’s alliance partner and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan defended him saying the RJD chief had made a purely political statement and it should not be construed as a personal attack on any one. Meanwhile, the Election Commission had sought copies of the CD from the Kishanganj district magistrate.
The EC already has in its possession the CDs having the recorded speech of Rabri Devi and Election Commissioner Navin Chawla had said full bench of the EC would view it before deciding the next course of action in this matter. Now it seems that the full bench of EC will peruse the CDs of Lalu’s speech as well before giving a verdict in the case.
