Date:16/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/16/stories/2008101656491200.htm

Front Page

War of words escalates

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday escalated the war of words with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati virtually threatening that party workers had the capacity to make it difficult for the Bahujan Samaj Party leader from touring India, in case she continues with acts of political vendetta.

“If she [Ms. Mayawati] does not rein in…let it be clear that the Congress as an organisation is present in every village of India and if she continues with her political vendetta she will find it difficult to do Bharat bhraman [tour],” party spokesperson Manish Tewari said at a press conference here hours after Ms. Mayawati spoke to the media.

Joining issue with Ms. Mayawati for stating that her action in cancelling the Rail Coach Factory project was not dictated by desire for a political revenge, he said this was contrary to the truth.

He said both Rae Bareli and Amethi were to get four development projects and unlike other State governments, which welcome such projects, the Uttar Pradesh government has stalled them. “The politics of Chief Minister is based on fear, revenge and corruption.” Mr. Tewari said that her own “corruption is a legend” .

The Congress also accused Ms. Mayawati of stooping low by stopping the pension benefits to former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation Vijay Shankar, a Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer, “What greater evidence of political pettiness is needed?”

On party president Sonia Gandhi’s willingness to go to jail, Mr. Tewari said the Uttar Pradesh government should beware of daring the party since the State may not have enough space in jails to imprison protesting party workers.

The Congress said Ms. Mayawati appeared more keen for tasks ahead instead of discharging her responsibility as the Chief Minister and fulfilling the mandate given to her party. Mr. Tewari said the State development indices were the poorest among all States and claimed that even atrocities against Dalits had risen after she assumed power.