Tytler cloud over Sheila's return as Delhi Cong chief

Veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit's return as the president of the party's Delhi unit on Wednesday was mired in a controversy with 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Jagdish Tytler getting a place of prominence at the function here.

Tytler was seated in the first row at a function at the Rajiv Bhawan here when Dikshit, a three-term chief minister, took charge of the Delhi Congress unit from outgoing president Ajay Maken.

Tytler was a minister in the UPA-I government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but had to quit amid a row over his alleged involvement in the 1984 riots.

“What can a man say when the court has given its verdict? You also mention my name. Why? Is there an FIR? Is there a case? No. Then why do you take my name,” Tytler said when asked for a comment by reporters.

Delhi BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused that the Congress was trying to intimidate the witnesses of the 1984 riots case by giving Tytler a prominent place at party events.

“The Congress wants to send a message to the witnesses that the party high command supports Tytler and nobody should even try to testify against him,” he said.

Union Minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the Congress was rubbing salt in the wounds of Sikhs.

“Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi, Tytler was their right-hand man. It is a clear signal to Sikhs of the country. Rahul ji is just continuing with his family tradition. It clearly shows that they have no respect for sentiments of the Sikhs,” Badal said.