New Delhi: Attacking Congress and Left parties over removal of Savarkar's plaque from the Cellular jail in Andaman, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Sep 18, 2004) asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order its restoration to prove the seriousness of his statement that the freedom fighter was a "patriot".

BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj, who will lead the party MPs' day-long 'Satyagraha' in Andaman on Tuesday (Sep 21, 2004), said a replica of the plaque, removed from the jail by Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, has been prepared for installation.

"The Prime Minister, at his press conference, had described Savarkar as a 'patriot' and said he wanted to end the controversy. If he is really serious about what he has said, he should order that the plaque be placed there.

"We are giving him the opportunity to end the issue. Still three days are left for him to act," Swaraj told reporters in New Delhi.

Displaying before the media the new plaque carrying the quotes of Savarkar and Bahadur Shah Zafar, she questioned, "Why was it removed. Which word is objectionable in this?"

Emphasising that Aiyar's step reflected a "particular mindset", Swaraj alleged, "the issue is that one family wants to take the entire credit for independence and contribution of others is not acceptable."

"Roads, colleges, universities, airports and even awards have been named after one family. But they cannot tolerate if one word of Savarkar finds a place in Andaman," she said.