Maharashtra Congress flays attack on Rahul motorcade in Gujarat

Mumbai, Aug 4 (IANS) The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday strongly condemned the stone-pelting incidents on Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat and termed it as a display of the "unscrupulousness practiced all over the country" since the BJP came to power at the Centre.

In a statement, MPCC President Ashok Chavan said the brutal attack on Gandhi is "a blot on Indian democracy" and asked the government to book the culprits immediately.

He pointed out that Gandhi is a national leader and his security was the responsibility of the BJP-led Gujarat government which has deliberately neglected it.

"The attack is definitely the handiwork of deranged minds and a display of the unscrupulousness practiced all over the country since the Bharatiya Janata Party government took over," Chavan said sharply.

The BJP's policy is to grab power by hook or by crook and using money power, muscle-power, and other undemocratic means to achieve its aims, he said.

"The attack on Gandhi in Gujarat today smacks of such and I suspect it is a conspiracy to finish off the opposition in politics. However, the Congress workers and leaders shall not be cowed down and will continue to challenge the ideological fight in full vigour," Chavan said.

Several other Congress leaders from Maharashtra and across the country have flayed the attack on Gandhi during his visit to flood-devastated Banaskantha district of north-eastern Gujarat on Friday.