New Delhi, Aug 14: Slamming the Congress for its attack on Anna Hazare, the BJP today accused the ruling party of creating an “Emergency-like” situation and trying to muffle the voices against corruption.
“Congress and its government wants to muffle the voices of those who are speaking against corruption. They should not shoot the messenger,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said. He alleged that the government was creating an “Emergency-like” situation.
“The government had ordered a lathicharge on peaceful protesters at Ramlila Ground. It has also unleashed atrocities on BJP protesters last week. Congress' attitude reminds us of the Emergency when the opposition voice was muffled. They had then called Jayprakash Narayan a fascist,” Hussain said.
The opposition party's statement came after Congress launched an attack on Team Hazare, charging it with systematically attempting to bring instability in the country and insulting Parliament before which the Lokpal bill has been brought.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said also sought clarification from Hazare over the “serious findings” of Justice P B Sawant Commission against him and his trusts while contending that the ideological disposition of the Team Anna consists of “armchair fascists, overground Maoists, closet anarchists... lurking behind forces of right reaction and funded by invisible donors whose links may go back a long way abroad”.
Reacting to the strong criticism, the BJP demanded that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clarify why their party leaders were using such language.
Hussain alleged the Congress is fighting those who are against corruption instead of taking on the menace.
He asked why the government has “a problem with Hazare now after talking to civil society members for the last five months on the Lokpal issue”.
Asked if BJP supported Anna Hazare, Hussain said, “We stand behind every individual who is fighting against corruption”. PTI
