NEW DELHI: After senior Congressman
Salman Khurshid kicked up a controversy with his comment that the party’s hands were stained “with the blood of Muslims”, the main opposition party quickly rejected the remark “in toto”.
An embarrassed
Congress said it “disagreed completely” with Khurshid. “All leaders must remember that such unfounded statements only help the cause of those in power today who seek to divide society on caste and communal lines to retain and attain power at any cost,” party spokesman
P L Punia said.
Asked if the party would take action against Khurshid, Punia evaded a direct reply, saying he need not add to what he had said.
Congress is keen to disassociate itself from the comment as Muslims are considered a key support base for the party in the upcoming polls in
Karnataka. The comment poses a political risk for the party as it may send a negative signal to the community of which JD (S) is also a strong claimant in the state.
Punia said Congress was the only party that worked towards building an egalitarian society by carrying all sections of people, including SCs/STs and minorities.
Acknowledging that communal riots and other sectarian clashes did take place during Congress rule,
Khurshid had said on Sunday the party’s hands were stained with blood. Asked by reporters on Tuesday if he would stick to his comment, Khurshid said, “Have you ever known me to withdraw a statement? What I said, I will continue to say. What I didn't say, I will never say.” Asked if he made the remarks as a member of Congress, Khurshid replied he did so “as a human being”.
“It’s the party that has given everything that I have today. And why should I step aside when my party is attacked? I must answer anyone who attacks my party and I do it to the best of my ability,” he added.