Thursday, March 3 2005 18:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (March 3, 2005) dismissed as the "biggest joke" Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's protest along with his young party colleagues before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the precincts of Parliament following the stalling of both Houses by NDA (National Democratic Alliance) resenting the action of Jharkhand Governor in installing Shibu Soren-led Ministry in the State.

"Some Congress MPs under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi staged a demonstration before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. This is the biggest joke," party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.

He accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of being responsible for the developments in Jharkhand and said, "This is a fascist way and fascism was born in Italy and except for Sonia Gandhi no one else knows what is fascism. First it is Goa, next Jharkhand and third it will be Bihar. In Bihar, the Congress with 10 MLAs is extending support to RJD.

"I wonder why so much is made out when Rahul Gandhi visits his constituency. Everyone in the media writes about it as though it is the biggest news. However, when other members visit their constituency regularly, nothing is mentioned about it," Malhotra said.

He said when Congress was in the Opposition, about Rs 300 crore was wasted as no business could be conducted in Parliament.

"It is indeed ironical that Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders want a chance to speak. So far they have not spoken a single word in the House. Why did Rahul Gandhi start with a dharna instead of speaking in the House?" he said.