Freeze RJD symbol, BJP tells EC

Godhra report in the eye of a storm

Stepping up its attack on the UC Banerjee committee report on the Godhra train fire, the BJP today moved the Election Commission demanding freezing of the RJD's symbol for allegedly "communalising" the issue in the Bihar poll campaign.

"The manner of release of this report indicates that the RJD president in his capacity as railway minister and the committee have attempted to communalise the unfortunate events in Godhra in order to enable the RJD to create communal tensions on the issue," BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in a letter to the Election Commission.

In support of its charge, the party said the committee chairman took the "extra-ordinary step" of addressing a press conference and releasing the report though his job was only to submit it to the government. Naqvi said the party has filed a complaint under Section 16 (a) of the Symbol Order of the EC.

The EC had already given Lalu Prasad "a last warning" when it decided on the distribution of money case last month. "We hope that the EC will step into prevent this blatant misuse of official power," said Naqvi.

Yesterday, Janata Dal (United) leader and BJP ally Nitish Kumar has said the move was politically motvated and had asked that the EC to prevent Prasad from using the report in his campaign speeches.

Meanwhile the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) T S Krishnamurthy warned of strict action against those exploiting religion. He said that it would be "unfortunate" if parties rake up the U C Banerjee report.