‘Advani is dividing army & police’

NEW DELHI: The Congress and the BJP opened a new chapter in hostility on Tuesday by targeting each other’s top leadership. While the BJP accused Sonia Gandhi of targeting Hindu priests in the name of fighting terrorism, the Congress hit back, accusing LK Advani of trying to drive a wedge between the army and police.

“He has hit a new low and is not even sparing institutions such as the army,” Congress general secretary Veerappa Moily said.

Moily was of the view that the only reason Advani chose to attack the anti-terror squad (ATS) was that its probe threatened to expose the people and organisations close to the BJP.

“The ATS was formed four years ago and it has so far detected 13 cases and arrested 75 people, of whom 24 are Hindus and 51 Muslims. They (the BJP) never said a word against the ATS till it started investigating and arresting those affiliated to the Sangh Parivar.”

Responding to Advani’s charge that political leadership was behind the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Singh and Lt Col Purohit (in connection with the Malegaon blast), the party said the only political interference that had taken place was the attempt by “Advani and the BJP to intimidate the ATS. He needs to explain why he is trying to protect those alleged to be involved in acts of terrorism,” Moily said.

j_ansari@dnaindia.net