Mumbai/Pune/Nagpur: While Congress on Monday distanced itself from leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar’s statement that ATS chief Hemant Karkare was not killed by Ajmal Kasab but by a bullet from the weapon of a police officer linked to RSS, with AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra Ramesh Chennithala saying the party did not endorse the remarks, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor demanded the govt conduct a “detailed professional inquiry” into Karkare’s death.
“Wadettiwar made the statement in his personal capacity. It is not the opinion of Congress,” Chennithala said. Paying rich tributes to Karkare, Chennithala said the then Congress govt had taken the case against Kasab to a logical end and the terrorist was hanged. Tharoor, on the other hand, said in Pune, “I cannot comment if the claim is true or not but since it is a serious allegation, it should be thoroughly investigated. Karkare was a popular officer. I had met him and I hold a lot of respect for him. I feel the inquiry into his death in a professional manner should be initiated.”
CM Eknath Shinde accused Congress of insulting the martyrs of 26/11 and claimed it was aligning with Pakistan. He also questioned UBT Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s silence over the issue. State BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule asked how Congress could stoop so low. Tharoor said the claim (about Kasab not killing Karkare) had been made by a retired IPS officer in his book. “Leader of opposition (Wadettiwar) raised the issue which has been in the public domain for some time… Such a serious issue should be investigated in a professional manner,” he said.
Criticising Ujjwal Nikam, whom Wadettiwar accused of “suppressing the truth” as special public prosecutor in the 26/11 case, he said, “The candidate (Nikam) related to whom the issue has come up had made a claim that biryani was served to Kasab in jail, which was refuted by the then IPS officer Meeran Borwankar.” He clarified that the Congress had no sympathy for terrorism.
Devika Rotawan, the youngest eyewitness in the trial of Kasab, on Monday slammed Wadettiwar without naming him and said one should not “sprinkle salt on wounds” in this manner. CM Shinde said, “Congress has no remorse for our heroes but is apparently worried about Kasab. Such remarks evoke anger in every Indian’s mind. Congress and Rahul Gandhi have no moral right to seek votes. Voters will teach them a lesson.”
Shinde criticised Congress for meekly tolerating violence over the last several years, including the 26/11 attacks. “While we were expecting the Congress-led govt to avenge the attack and loss of our innocent civilians and officers, they only meekly complained to global leaders about the incident. In stark contrast, Narendra Modi, during his tenure as PM, has ensured our country bravely and promptly retaliates against all terror attempts through surgical strikes, that too in enemy lands. We are in a position now where world powers listen to us when we speak,” he said.
Questioning Uddhav Thackeray’s silence, he said, “He (Uddhav) said the country doesn’t need Modi, but I am asking if we need a leader who works from home and does Facebook live. If Balasaheb was alive, he would not have tolerated this.”
Bawankule said, “Do you back Ajmal Kasab to oppose BJP? Have some shame. Ever since Narendra Modi came to power, terrorists have been wiped out, but today Congress is shedding tears for them. When MVA was in power in Maharashtra, Yakub Memon’s grave was beautified, now Kasab’s regiment is marching out. People will give a befitting lesson to Congress.” In Nagpur, BJYM activists staged protests against Wadettiwar.
“Wadettiwar made the statement in his personal capacity. It is not the opinion of Congress,” Chennithala said. Paying rich tributes to Karkare, Chennithala said the then Congress govt had taken the case against Kasab to a logical end and the terrorist was hanged. Tharoor, on the other hand, said in Pune, “I cannot comment if the claim is true or not but since it is a serious allegation, it should be thoroughly investigated. Karkare was a popular officer. I had met him and I hold a lot of respect for him. I feel the inquiry into his death in a professional manner should be initiated.”
CM Eknath Shinde accused Congress of insulting the martyrs of 26/11 and claimed it was aligning with Pakistan. He also questioned UBT Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s silence over the issue. State BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule asked how Congress could stoop so low. Tharoor said the claim (about Kasab not killing Karkare) had been made by a retired IPS officer in his book. “Leader of opposition (Wadettiwar) raised the issue which has been in the public domain for some time… Such a serious issue should be investigated in a professional manner,” he said.
Criticising Ujjwal Nikam, whom Wadettiwar accused of “suppressing the truth” as special public prosecutor in the 26/11 case, he said, “The candidate (Nikam) related to whom the issue has come up had made a claim that biryani was served to Kasab in jail, which was refuted by the then IPS officer Meeran Borwankar.” He clarified that the Congress had no sympathy for terrorism.
Devika Rotawan, the youngest eyewitness in the trial of Kasab, on Monday slammed Wadettiwar without naming him and said one should not “sprinkle salt on wounds” in this manner. CM Shinde said, “Congress has no remorse for our heroes but is apparently worried about Kasab. Such remarks evoke anger in every Indian’s mind. Congress and Rahul Gandhi have no moral right to seek votes. Voters will teach them a lesson.”
Shinde criticised Congress for meekly tolerating violence over the last several years, including the 26/11 attacks. “While we were expecting the Congress-led govt to avenge the attack and loss of our innocent civilians and officers, they only meekly complained to global leaders about the incident. In stark contrast, Narendra Modi, during his tenure as PM, has ensured our country bravely and promptly retaliates against all terror attempts through surgical strikes, that too in enemy lands. We are in a position now where world powers listen to us when we speak,” he said.
Questioning Uddhav Thackeray’s silence, he said, “He (Uddhav) said the country doesn’t need Modi, but I am asking if we need a leader who works from home and does Facebook live. If Balasaheb was alive, he would not have tolerated this.”
Bawankule said, “Do you back Ajmal Kasab to oppose BJP? Have some shame. Ever since Narendra Modi came to power, terrorists have been wiped out, but today Congress is shedding tears for them. When MVA was in power in Maharashtra, Yakub Memon’s grave was beautified, now Kasab’s regiment is marching out. People will give a befitting lesson to Congress.” In Nagpur, BJYM activists staged protests against Wadettiwar.