BJP terms Congress support for Anna as 'pure hypocrisy'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit out at the Congress party for supporting social activist Anna Hazare's agitation on the Land Acquisiton Bill, terming it pure hypocrisy on the part of the party.

"But as far as the Congress party supporting the movement for farmers is concerned, we are unable to understand as to how a party which was responsible for devastation of agricultural sector in India is concerned in taking up the issue of farmers today. This is pure hypocrisy on part of the Congress," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told ANI.

Patra, however, added that his party respected Anna Hazare and would take view of the suggestions made by him.

"As far as Anna Hazare speaking on Land Acquisition Bill is concerned, we would state that Anna Hazare is a very respectable person. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects him and whatever suggestions Hazare has to make, surely the government will take view of the suggestions," he said.

The Congress party had earlier welcomed Hazare's move against the ordinance passed by the Centre.

"The provisions which should be preserved and protected by any democratic government, they have thrown into the bins and brought this ordinance and we will also protest. We welcome the move by Anna Hazare," Congress leader PC Chacko told ANI.

Hazare will stage a protest in the national capital on February 24 against the Land Acquisition Bill and request the government to withdraw the ordinance.

The protest would be organized by the farmer unions and as per reports, social activist Medha Patkar, along with 70 other organizations across the country, will participate in it.