Date:22/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/22/stories/2006092206631200.htm

National

Jat Mahasabha rallies behind Natwar Singh

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Expressing solidarity with the former External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, the Haryana Jat Mahasabha on Thursday launched a signature campaign in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other States.

In a statement here, Kuldip Singh Gochhwal, president, Haryana Jat Mahasabha, alleged that Mr. Natwar Singh had been made a ``scapegoat'' by Congress leaders ``at the behest of American President George Bush who did not like the nationalist foreign policy espoused by Natwar Singh... ''

``The Congress leadership has been exploiting the Jat leaders from time to time and then discarding them after utilising their services and contributions,'' he said.

Humiliated

According to him, other Jat leaders similarly `humiliated and forced to leave Congress' included Charan Singh, Devi Lal, Prof. Sher Singh, Virender Verma, Hardwari Lal and Bansi Lal.

Mr. Gochhwal said the Mahasabha would convene a national meeting in December here to express solidarity with Mr. Natwar Singh and work out a plan to counter the assault on the ``honour and dignity of the Jat fraternity by the Congress leadership.''