'Opportunist' Congress needs to introspect: BJP on Bhardwaj's claim

Taking potshots at the Congress over the startling revelations made by former law minister Hansraj Bhardwaj that the UPA-I wanted to dissolve the Mulayam Singh-led Samajwadi Party Government in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said the 'undemocratic and opportunist' grand old party, which has always promoted corruption, needs to introspect.

"We all know the bitter truth that the Congress Party has always been undemocratic and opportunist. This is the same Congress Party, which to promote corruption has been taking the support of Mulayam Singh and simultaneously planning to dissolve its government," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma told ANI.

"In the 2014 elections, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi won from their respective constituencies with the help of Mulayam Singh. Such statements unmask the Congress. And the worst part is that such revelations are being made by one of their senior leaders. This shows what kind of culture persists in the Congress. It is high time that the Congress should introspect," he added.

Bhardwaj earlier said that the Congress-led UPA-I wanted to call fresh elections and impose President's rule in Uttar Pradesh following reports of mismanagement and corruption in the state.

"The then Governor of Uttar Pradesh used to brief Congress about the crippled law and order, mismanagement and corruption in state The Congress Party, especially the Congress president, wanted to impose President's rule in Uttar Pradesh," said Bhardwaj.

"When I was asked to give my opinion, I advised the Congress that Mulayam Singh government could not be dismissed only on the ground of corruption and that if Governor wants Singh can be prosecuted because at that time he had already proved his majority on the floor of the house and to suspend him was not necessary," he added.

Bhardwaj further said that then prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was also in dilemma over the decision as the Congress' Core Group was in the favour of dissolution of the Uttar Pradesh Government.