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BJP to time petition against Sonia's citizenship with election

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party today indicated that its public interest petition against Sonia Gandhi's citizenship would be filed in July or August. The timing is meant to complicate matters for her at election time and thwart her bid for prime ministership.

Pointing out that the relevant court would take its own time to give a verdict, a senior BJP vice-president said this would hamper the Congress president's move to contest the general election, which is likely to be held in September. By the time the petition is disposed of, the election will be long over.

The BJP politician claimed that contrary to the prevailing opinion in the Congress Working Committee, the issue of Gandhi's Italian origins is exercising the electorate, which, despite its liberal views, will never allow the country to be ruled by a 'foreigner'.

Referring to the virtual revolt by three senior Congress politicians, he said it was a measure of the "seething discontent" in the party on the prospect of Gandhi taking over as prime minister.

He gleefully pointed out that Sharad Pawar, "a Hindu", P A Sangma, "a Christian", and Tariq Anwar, "a Muslim", had shown that while they were all for secular values, they would put their foot down when it came to entrusting the country to a person of foreign origin.

He emphasised the three politicians' reference to national security and India's economic development being entrusted to a person of foreign origin and said it reflected the fears of the citizenry.

Asked whether the National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP would include the issue of Gandhi's origin in its manifesto, he said the matter would be considered by the manifesto committee, which is yet to be constituted.

In its official briefing today, the BJP said it would react to the developments in the Congress only after the outcome of the CWC meeting, that was scheduled to begin at 1930 IST today, was known.

Asked whether the BJP favoured a constitutional amendment as suggested by the Congress rebels to ensure that only a "natural-born" Indian would be eligible for the posts of President, vice-president and prime minister, party spokesman Krishan Lal Sharma said they had always favoured such a move.

Meanwhile, all hell broke loose at the All-India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi as enraged party activists tried to give vent to their feelings against the "betrayal" by Pawar, Sangma and Anwar.

The workers, who jammed every available space at 24 Akbar Road, shouted slogans like BJP ke dalalon ko joote maar kar bahar nikalon [Throw out the agents of the BJP] and Sonia tum sunghursh karo, hum tumhare saath hain [Sonia, carry on the struggle, we are with you]".

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