A day after sparring with ally Shiv Sena, BJP on Tuesday attempted to put the blame for hatred against North Indians working in Maharashtra on the Congress, saying despite being in power in the state it was shedding crocodile tears instead of protecting the victims.
"What is happening in Maharashtra is an attempt to create hatred against people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. I would like to tell the Congress, which is in power in the state, not to shed crocodile tears or play divisive politics for votes," former BJP president Rajnath Singh said in New Delhi.
Without naming Rahul Gandhi, who had spoken yesterday about rights of North Indians living in the state, Singh said, "Congress leaders are giving reactions only... though they are in power in Maharashtra."
Singh accused the Congress of taking course to inaction and shadow boxing by providing indirect assistance to MNS and other extremist outfits as a part of their strategy.
"Congress party has a history of patronising many separatist and regional movements in the country, which has not only damaged the secular fabric of India but also dealt a big blow to unity and integrity of our country," Singh said.
He enumerated the Khalistan Movement in Punjab, separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir and the "prevalent anti-India sentiment" in many parts of North-Eastern states and alleged these cropped up due to "either active or passive" involvement of the Congress.
"What the RSS has said (that North Indians should be protected in Maharashtra) is absolutely correct. All over India, every countryman has rights and all political parties should respect this basic feeling among all Indians," BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar said yesterday. PTI
