Monday, August 8 2005 22:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: Former Lt Governor of Delhi, Padmakar Gavai, who has been criticised by Nanavati Inquiry Commission that probed anti-Sikh riots in Delhi in 1984, today (Aug 8, 2005) accused the then Union Home Minister P V Narasimha Rao and Army Chief A Vaidya for their "failure" to control the riots.

He also charged Union Minister Jagdish Tytler and the then Union Information and Broadcasting Minister H K L Bhagat for their alleged roles in the riots.

"Rao was only making calls to me to protect his friends and telling me their locations," Gavai, who has settled here, claimed while talking to reporters reacting to the Nanavati Commission report tabled in Parliament today.

"I approached then Army Chief General Vaidya but his response was too cool," Gavai said adding, "He told me Gavai these things normally happens. I had asked General Vaidya for sending Army to quell the riots but his approach was totally negative."

"I took H K L Bhagat, then Information and Broadcasting Minister but he too was not keen to suppress the riots."

"It is not the Lt Governor's responsibility alone to control riots when Congress stalwarts were in the Union Government," Gavai, who was removed from the post soon after the riots, said.

"We were short of men (police) and leaders lacked political will," Gavai alleged.