Cong ticks off Beni for his SP's B-team remarks

AICC general secretary in-charge for UP Madhusudan Mistri spoke to Verma over telling him that it is better if such things are not discussed in public

Congress today disapproved of Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma's going public with the charge that some party leaders worked as B-team of Samajwadi Party and told him that issues if any should be discussed within the party fora and not outside.

AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Madhusudan Mistri spoke twice to Verma over the phone telling him in clear terms that it is better if such things are not discussed in public.

'This may be his personal opinion. As Mistri said, if he (Verma) has any inforamtion, he should share it in the party fora. Mistri has given him a chance (to explain). Let the discussion between them take place first. We will then tell you,' said party spokesperson Sandip Dikshit.

Asked whether action could be taken against Verma as it was done in case of former AICC general secretary Margaret Alva in 2008 over her allegation that tickets were sold during Karnataka Assembly elections, he said 'right now you watch what happens...What he (Verma) tells the party high command..

'It is an established policy in the party that if anybody has any issues, he should first say it in the party fora,' Dikshit said.

Dikshit was replying to questions whether Congress agrees with Verma's remarks or if not whether any action will follow against the Union Minister whose remarks in past have also landed Congress in an embarassing situation.

When contacted, Mistri refused to give details of the conversation he had with the senior OBC leader of the party in Uttar Pradesh last evening and this morning.

'Both of us will meet and sort it out. We will deal with it within the party fora. This is a party matter. These are the things we need not discuss in public,' the AICC general secretary said but parried questions on whether Verma will be summoned by the AICC or he will go to meet him.

The AICC general secretary is going on his first visit to UP from June 28 after taking charge of the state.