Political parties rally behind Pawar
November 24th, 2011 - 6:34 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Cutting across the political divide, political parties Thursday unanimously condemned the attack on union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here.
The Congress party termed the attack as “condemnable” and alleged that BJP leader Yashwant Sinha’s statement on price rise incited the attacker to resort to violence. However, the BJP said it has never supported violence and condemns the act.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Pawar and condemned the assault.
“The act is unfortunate and condemnable and these things should not happen in a democracy. We think it is because of Yashwant Sinha’s statement, because of which the youth resorted to violence,” said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “We condemn the attack but the Congress’ statement on BJP is irresponsible. In fact, there is pain among the people on price rise which the government should feel.”
“The prime minister and finance minister have nothing to offer to the people of this country,” he added.
Pawar was Thursday slapped by a turbaned Sikh man, Harvinder Singh, who had also attacked former telecommunications minister Sukh Ram outside a court here four days ago.
Singh whipped out his kirpan (small knife, a Sikh religious symbol) when security guards tried to overpower him. He was detained by the police.
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said: “The party has never supported violence. The differences should be told in a non-violent way. Sharad Pawar is a non-violent and a good human being.”
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh also called the act condemnable and said “the guilty must be punished”.
BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: “These jokers, who seek publicity by these acts, must be taught a lesson.”
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, the daughter of Pawar, urged party members not to react and forget the incident.
Minister of Science and Technology and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said: “People may have anger but this is not the way to express anger. The act is highly condemnable and should be investigated thoroughly. Sharad Pawar is such a tall leader.”
- Pawar slapped, attacker says 'they're all thieves' (Intro Roundup) - Nov 24, 2011
- No personal enmity with anyone: Sharad Pawar - Nov 24, 2011
- PM speaks to Pawar, condemns attack - Nov 24, 2011
- Pawar supporters protest across Maharashtra - Nov 24, 2011
- Pawar hits back at Hazare, but asks partymen to be calm - Dec 07, 2011
- Sharad slap unites Indian politicians - Nov 25, 2011
- Pawar's daughter meets Bal Thackeray - Nov 27, 2011
- Pawar attacker sent to 14-day judicial custody - Nov 25, 2011
- Why should I react, Pawar asks after assault - Nov 24, 2011
- Maharashtra politicians condemn Pawar attack - Nov 24, 2011
- BJP using language of mafia, says Congress - Nov 23, 2011
- Congress backs Pawar, questions Hazare's Gandhism - Dec 08, 2011
- Pawar slap: Anna admits reaction violent, justifies attack - Dec 06, 2011
- Shoes thrown at others, Pawar first to be assaulted (Timeline) - Nov 24, 2011
- Previous attacks on leaders (To go with: 'Ink attack stuns Ramdev, attacker faces mob fury') - Jan 14, 2012
Tags: agriculture minister, alvi, bharatiya janata party, harvinder singh, manmohan, manmohan singh, nationalist congress party, ncp, party chief, party members, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, rajiv pratap, ravi shankar, religious symbol, sharad pawar, sikh, sukh ram, supriya sule, sushma swaraj