Opposition playing petty politics for ulterior motives: Kamal Nath

Congress leader Kamal Nath, who has resigned as the party's in-charge of Punjab affairs, today rubbished the allegations being levelled against him and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of twisting facts for their ulterior motives.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have played politics by imposing such allegations against me," he told the media.

"After 22 years, Nanavati Commission gave a verdict in my favour. Sukhbir Badal from Akali Dal spoke in the favour of the verdict," he said.

Nath accused the opposition parties of attempting to divert people's attention from real issues in Punjab including farmers' plight.

The Congress leader came under fire after being appointed as the party's in-charge of Punjab affairs over his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Kamal Nath requested her to relieve him from his duties so that the attention of the party is not diverted from real issues such as the 'rampant drug trade' in Punjab.

"Certain elements are raking up these issues now only for political gains. I am touched by the support shown by our party workers and leaders in Punjab in rejecting the false accusations. I am a practitioner of Nehruvian politics and maligning of the Congress party using false accusations is unacceptable to me," Nath said in the letter.

Hoping that the party focuses on the upcoming elections rather than the furore over his appointment, he added the Congress must highlight the issues of misgovernance, misery of farmers and youth, break down of law and order and rampant drug trade in Punjab.

"Given this, I request that I may be relieved of my charge to ensure that the attention is not diverted from the real issues facing Punjab," he said.