DEHRA DUN/ NEW DELHI, July 9 � BJP president Nitin Gadkari today ruled out an apology for his controversial remark that Afzal Guru was like a �son-in-law� for Congress leaders after he targeted the ruling party for the delay in the hanging of the Parliament attack death row convict.
The remark also unleashed a war of words between the ruling and opposition party with Congress reacting with disdain to Gadkari�s taunt and scoffing at him, saying he has lost his mind and that he should be referred to a �psychiatric facility�.
The BJP on its part defended Gadkari and said the remark should be seen as a �constructive criticism� of government�s stand and tried to turn the tables on Congress for using �uncivilised� language against its leader and sought an apology.
When asked by reporters in Dehra Dun today whether he would apologise for his remarks, Gadkari said he stuck to his stand. �I have said nothing wrong. I stick to my stand and so there is no need (to apologise),� Gadkari said.
At a BJP rally in Dehra Dun last night, Gadkari thundered, �I want to ask Congress leaders if Afzal Guru is their son-in-law? Have you (Congress) given your daughter to him (Afzal). Why is he being given special treatment?�
He alleged that the government was sitting on the file relating to execution of Guru for the last four years. �Delhi CM Sheila Dixit had stated it was done on the instructions from then Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Now the decision is pending with the President, he said,� he said. � PTI
