BJP raises pitch for Afzal Guru's execution

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June 09, 2008 18:43 IST

Seeking to cash in on Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal's reported remarks on speeding up decision on his death sentence, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday demanded immediate implementation of the Supreme Court order upholding his punishment.

"Afzal's allegation of the United Progressive Alliance government being indecisive is a serious charge. The Congress-led government has been found double faced on the issue. The decision of the apex court needs to be implemented at the earliest," party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.

The Parliament attack convict, now lodged in Tihar Jail, has reportedly accused the Congress government of not being swift in taking a decision on his clemency petition. He also said that he expects BJP leader L K Advani would take a decision on his fate if he becomes the Prime Minister.

Rudy said, "I have nothing more to comment on the issue", when he was asked about the party's reaction on Afzal's expectation of a quick decision from Advani.

Rudy also alleged that Congress delayed a decision on Afzal's clemency petition due to vote bank politics.

Now even Afzal knows that he is being used by the Congress to gain minority votes, Shahnawaz Hussain, chairman of the party's minority cell, said

On being asked if the party has softened its stand on Afzal's hanging after his reported views about the party's prime ministerial candidate, Rudy said, "Our stand on the issue remains the same. None should be confused of any change in our demand of speedy execution of the court orders (of Afzal's hanging)."

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