Assault on Pawar not triggered by Yashwant Sinha's comments, says Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Nov. 24 (ANI): Condemning the assault on Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj on Thursday dismissed all allegations that the attack on him was due to the comments made by her party leader Yashwant Sinha.

"As far as the incident with Sharad Pawar is concerned, on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) we strongly condemn such incidents. This incident cannot be justified under any circumstances. But the comment by the Congress spokesperson that this incident was caused by the statement of Yashwant Sinha is fetching too far this comment," Swaraj told the media here.

Further defending her party's stand, Swaraj said the BJP had never supported violence and always maintained to tender their disputes in the most diplomatic and non-violent manner.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party has never supported violence and will never do in the future too. We have always supported the notion of expressing disputes through non-violent means. Sharad Pawar is a decent man; he is a nice man and commands respect due to his age. Such incident on him is strongly condemned," she added.

Congress Party earlier today termed unfortunate the statements made by the BJP leaders and spokespersons justifying the general public's anger and actions on issues such as inflation and black money etc.

"Whatever has happened, it is very unfortunate, that boy should have been arrested. The investigating agency should try to find out the truth. What is even more unfortunate is major political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party making statements through its spokespersons and leaders, warning that the public is justified in coming out onto the streets, shouting slogans, attacking politicians, leaders on issues such as price rise etc. These statements, I feel, are responsible for this (incident) happening," said Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said.

Pawar was slapped by a man named Harvinder Singh at the NDMC Center in New Delhi today. The man was later taken into custody by the security guards at the scene.

He is currently in the custody of the Delhi Police, who are questioning him.

Harvinder Singh, a resident of Rohini, is the same man who had assaulted former telecom minister Sukhram last Saturday.

"These politicians have been causing nothing but trouble in the country. They only know how to make speeches, but never act on what they say. They deserve to be attacked. I will continue to attack politicians. I am the same person who attacked Sukhram last week and I will continue doing this. I do not regret any of my actions," Singh said claiming that Sharad Pawar is responsible for the misery of the people and the high prices of essential commodities. (ANI)