Party leaders back Nath, say he did right thing by quitting Punjab post
Friday, 17/06/2016
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The issue of 1984 riots is very sensitive, especially at the time of the assembly elections. The main issues in Punjab today are good administration, drugs and unemployment. ASHWANI KUMAR, Congress leader from Punjab
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday came to the rescue of senior party leader Kamal Nath after he resigned as the Punjab affairs in-charge and said that it was necessary to divert people’s attention from ‘old wounds’ of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to the prevailing issues.
Stating that the 1984 riots, which was a stigma on the nation, should never have taken place, Congress leader Ashwani Kumar said Kamal Nath’s resignation was a right step.
“The party has accepted his resignation, not because Kamal Nath is guilty but because one shouldn’t reopen old wounds. Today, it is required to forget those wounds and try to heal them. In this context, I think his resignation is right,” he said.
The former union minister said the main issues in Punjab today are good administration, drugs and unemployment. “This is clear that there is no FIR against Kamal Nath or any charges or any court has convicted him guilty in the 1984 riots. The issue of 1984 riots is very sensitive, especially at the time of the state polls,” he added.
Sharing his sentiments, Congress leader JP Agarwal said that there was no pressure from the party on Kamal Nath’s resignation, adding the latter himself volunteered not to remain on the post.
“There was no allegation against him. He is a very senior person. He has had a wonderful journey in politics. We are clear. We haven’t done anything wrong,” he added.