JOIN USFiles complaint after Batla House remark
The Delhi Congress on Friday complained to the Delhi election office against BJP leader V K Malhotra for terming the Batla House area a “safe haven” for terrorists.
Malhotra, however, stood firm on his stand and asked Sonia Gandhi to respond on the issue. After the detention and release of two suspects from Batla House area Malhotra had said the place has become “safe haven” for terrorists.
“We have submitted a memorandum to the Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev demanding action against Malhotra for targeting a specific community during the election period,” said Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee’s chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma.
“We have also requested the officials to provide more security forces at the polling booths in Muslim-dominated sensitive polling stations,” he said.
Sharma added, “A criminal case should be registered against Malhotra for trying to disturb communal harmony.”
Party’s state unit president and MLA from Gandhi Nagar Arvinder Singh Lovely accused the BJP of trying to get votes by dividing society.
“Malhotra’s statement was a deliberate strategy to frighten the Muslim community. It was the primary political and social agenda of Delhi Congress to strengthen communal harmony, and the party will never forsake its belief in communal harmony,” he said.Malhotra, however, sought answers from Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“Gandhi should clarify in her public meetings to be held in Delhi whether the Delhi Police, controlled by the Congress-led central government, has committed any mistake in arresting Pakistani terrorists Waqas, Bhatkal and interrogating some persons in south Delhi’s Batla House on the leads given by the terror suspects,” he said.
“If they have committed a mistake, then she should dismiss Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and cancel his candidature. If the police have done the right thing, then she should dismiss Chandni Chowk candidate Kapil Sibal and East Delhi nominee Sandeep Dikshit who are opposing the police,” Malhotra said.
On Sandeep Dikshit's threat of going for a sit-in at BJP office over his remarks, Malhotra said it would amount to violation of the model code of conduct. Malhotra said during the 10 years of UPA rule, terrorism has grown in India. On becoming prime minister, BJP leader Narendra Modi will ensure that terrorists get no corner to hide in India.