Won’t cooperate with arson probe: Rita Bahugana Joshi

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi vowed on Tuesday to intensify her agitation against the BSP rule in the state.

Joshi, who was jailed by chief minister Mayawati for two days last week for making “derogatory” remarks against her, said she would not cooperate with the CB-CID investigating the arson at her Lucknow house, allegedly perpetrated by BSP workers.
The Congress would launch a statewide stir in UP from August 1, demanding a CBI probe into the fire, she said.

“We will not cooperate with the CB-CID. We do not trust the state government. If the case is not referred to the CBI by July 31, we will launch a statewide agitation,” Joshi said after meeting senior party leaders at the AICC headquarters here.

She said she had written to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on the alleged involvement of the local administration in the July-15 incident.

Claiming that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated under Mayawati, Joshi said, “This (burning down of her house) is not a common incident. For the first time, the house of the state president of a national party has been burnt.

“I will not answer their queries. We will not cooperate with them. We want a CBI inquiry.”