Cong enraged, BJP distances itself from Sudarshan statement

Though the RSS did not come out with a statement, BJP distanced itself from Sudershan's comments and even appeared critical of it.

"We strongly condemn Sudarshan's statement. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should tell whether he agrees with the statement or not. If he doesn't, he should condemn it openly," Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters here.
Singh said that Gandhi's personality has been of an ideal wife, daughter-in-law and mother.

"To say such things against a person who has declined to accept the Prime Minister's post is totally condemnable," Singh said.

While interacting with the media in Bhopal yesterday, Sudarshan had called Gandhi a CIA agent and accused her of plotting assassinations of her husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and his mother Indira Gandhi.

The BJP distanced itself from Sudershan's statement, saying Gandhi was an elected representative and should be treated with respect.

"As a democratically elected leader she (Gandhi) should be respected. She is the chairperson of a ruling coalition and as a democratically elected Indian leader she deserves our respect. Whatever political differences we have with her must be addressed within an accepted, democratic framework and behaviour," BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay told PTI.

Sources said Sudershan's attack on Sonia Gandhi was triggered by Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's statement that RSS and banned outfit SIMI were both fanatical and held fundamentalist ideology.

However, many in the BJP feel Sudershan seems to have gone overboard.
Vijay, however, used this opportunity to do some Congress-bashing as well.
"We have fought and will continue to fight against her (Gandhi's) Kashmir policy and the ever-increasing assault on Hindu organisations, icons and sensitivities. We will also continue to expose the corruption being protected under her leadership but in a political set-up," he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP said his party was bound by Parliamentary traditions and norms.
Distancing BJP from Sudershan's remarks, Vijay said, "I do not think the media reports that have appeared are factually correct."