By IANS,
New Delhi: The Congress Friday said it backed the government’s view that the Batla House shootout case cannot be reopened as the incident was genuine. The party attributed party general secretary Digvijay Singh’s differing views on the issue as a reflection of internal democracy in the party.
Party spokesman Raashid Alvi said the September 2008 Batla House shootout was a “sensitive issue” which has been extensively discussed during the past elections.
“There are different views on the issue. Such matters should not be politicised and no effort should be made to reap political benefit,” Alvi said.
He said Digvijay Singh was not only a general secretary of the party but also a senior leader, and partymen had a right to express their views.
“There is internal democracy in the party. Everyone in the party has a right to speak. No ban can be put on it. The Congress party supports the view of the government,” Alvi said.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram had Thursday rejected Singh’s demand for a fresh probe into the 2008 Batla House shootout, saying there was “no scope” for it and the gunbattle was genuine.
Singh, however, stood by his demand of justice for the accused.
“We want justice for the 26 accused in the case. A speedy, free and fair trial for them is top priority as a judicial probe is not possible now,” Singh said Thursday after Chidambaram’s remarks.