Congress defends Asha’s appointment in Punjab

The Congress defended its decision to appoint Asha Kumari, convicted in a land-grab case, as in-charge of the Punjab unit.

Equating Kumari with BJP president Amit Shah, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said the case against Kumari is not a case of murder. Sibal said courts will resolve the cases against Kumari. He added that the BJP has ministers who are convicted for three years but are still functioning in Gujarat.

“(Gujarat Minister Babubhai) Bokharia is an example. Let us not talk of perception. Have we gone against Amit Shah? The matter is pending in Court, as and when finally the Court gives verdict, we will see what is to be done. We are not following any example,” Sibal said.

He said the case against Shah is still pending. “There may be some cases with respect to land issues, which are highly complicated and complex, and long drawn. This is not a case of murder, this is not a case of graft, this is a case of land, a family dispute,” Sibal said.

The party said in a note circulated to reporters that the complaint against Kumari was forwarded to the Vigilance Department by the then Chief Minister PK Dhumal in 2001.

The party claims the case relates to an allegation that certain portions of land, belonging to the family Kumari is married into, were illegally transferred. The release added that the genesis of the case is a family dispute over ancestral properties.

The Aam Aadmi Party and the ruling coalition in Punjab had questioned the Congress’ morality over her appointment. Kumari, however, made it clear that she is not going to resign. “I am sorry; I cannot oblige them. I have been given full mandate by the Congress president and vice-president to work for the party in Punjab,” she said, after her meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi on Monday.

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