Congress creating emergency-like situation: BJP

BJP spokesman Prakash Javdekar

Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday accused the ruling Congress at Centre of creating an emergency-like situation in the country over the issue of agitation against corruption and black money.

“Congress is trying to create an emergency like situation in the country. What Congress is doing is undemocratic ... (like) the action against the protest of Baba Ramdev,” BJP spokesman Prakash Javdekar told reporters here.

Responding to a question about the charge of Congress that Sangh Parivar was using the protests by Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare for political ends, Mr. Javdekar said his party supports every movement against corruption and black money.

“We are not an illegal organisation. The issue of corruption and black money was first raised by (L K) Advani during the 2009 (Lok Sabha) elections but Congress tried to dismiss it by making fun of the charges,” he said.

“When we stalled the Parliament during the winter session on the demand of JPC, the entire nation was with us.

Nobody criticised us for that,” the BJP national spokesman said.

However, the BJP leader steered clear of the controversy surrounding this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

He said a decision on the commencement of the yatra shall be taken by the religious leaders and concerned authorities.

“We want a smooth yatra and all arrangements should be put in place by the authorities for it,” he said.

Although the state government is not involved in finalising the date for the annual yatra, the state BJP Unit has accused the Omar Abdullah government of creating impediments in the pilgrimage and curtailing its duration.

The date for Yatra is finalised by the Shrine Board headed by state Governor N.N. Vohra.

VHP plans of starting the Amarnath yatra from June 15 instead of June 29 as announced by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which regulated the annual pilgrimage. The yatra will culminate on August 13.