New Delhi, July 17: With Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s alleged derogatory remarks against UP chief minister Mayawati creating a furore, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday virtually disapproved of the UPCC chief’s comments but dubbed the entire sequence of events in which her house was burnt, as “very unfortunate”.
As Gandhi expressed “deep pain and anguish” over the developments, Congress went on the offensive against Mayawati dismissing as “absolutely false” her charge that BSP workers were involved in the arson at Joshi’s residence and demanded a CBI enquiry.
“The Congress stands for highest standards in public debate on issues that touch the people…The party regrets the personal elements in reference to UP Chief Minister Mayawati in Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s remarks,” AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.
At the same time, the statement also made plain that the credibility and fairness of the Mayawati regime would be on test in the manner it deals with arsonists who, in a “deeply condemnable incident”, set Joshi’s house on fire.
Dwivedi and Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh steered clear of questions whether Joshi would be removed from her post in the wake of her remarks.
Noting that she was in jail now, Dwivedi said, “We will seek an explanation and see what can be done after that.”
Party sources later said that Congress is expected to launch a ‘jail bharo’ if Bahuguna is not released on bail.
A senior leader, who declined to be identified, said the Congress would not hesitate to have a confrontation with BSP as the party wants to widen its base among Dalits.
Seeking to put the UP government in a tight spot, Dwivedi said atrocities against women, especially those belonging to weaker sections, need to be addressed effectively by the state government without delay.
Singh said while the party disassociates itself with the statement of Joshi, it will fight the matter in court and the agitation of the party in UP will continue till all the arsonists are arrested.
–Agencies