Congress on back foot over Rahul Gandhi's allegations

19 May, 2011

The Congress is clearly on the back foot over the allegations of mass murder and rape in Bhatta Parsaul villages levelled by Rahul Gandhi. The party on Wednesday claimed that media had distorted the remarks.

THE CONGRESS on Wednesday asserted that the media had distorted the remarks of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, in which he had allegedly claimed that UP administration had carried out mass murder and rape in a Greater Noida village.

An embarrassed Congress, which was clearly on the back foot tried to salvage the situation by saying that statement made by Gandhi did not mention the bodies of 74 people being found in one place. Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said that whatever has come in the media is unfortunate as Gandhi has nowhere mentioned the figure.

The Congress leader also said that the matter should be investigated thoroughly and if the allegations are found true, then action should be initiated. He, however, admitted that since Rahul Gandhi was not at the scene and went after the incident, he must have said what was told to him by the locals.

Meanwhile, senior UP officials rejected the charges levelled by Gandhi, saying that it was unfortunate that the Congress leader could not differentiate between dry cow dung cakes and funeral pyre ash.

To ensure that no aspersions could be cast on the conduct of UP police, the district administration has also collected samples of ash from Bhatta village and the same has been sent to CFSL, Agra.

Police officials also said that no complaint of missing persons has been filed with Gautam Budh Nagar police and if such a matter is reported it will be investigated, they said.