'Slap' cuts across divide, political parties rally behind Sharad Pawar

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Cutting across the political divide, political parties on Thursday unanimously condemned the attack on union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here.

The Congress party termed the attack as 'condemnable' and alleged that BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's statement on price rise incited the attacker to resort to violence. However, the BJP said it has never supported violence and condemns the act.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Pawar and condemned the assault.

"The act is unfortunate and condemnable and these things should not happen in a democracy. We think it is because of Yashwant Sinha's statement, because of which the youth resorted to violence," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We condemn the attack but the Congress' statement on BJP is irresponsible. In fact, there is pain among the people on price rise which the government should feel."

"The prime minister and finance minister have nothing to offer to the people of this country," he added.

71-year-old Pawar was slapped by a man identified as Harvinder Singh, who had also attacked former telecommunications minister Sukh Ram outside a court in New Delhi four days ago.

Singh, a transporter in his thirties, claimed he was angry with corruption and price rise.

Pawar lost his balance but remained unperturbed after the assault and moved towards the exit of the auditorium and got into his waiting car. Private security guards immediately overpowered the youth who was shouting 'he is corrupt' and an official landed some blows on Singh.

"I came planned to the event to slap the minister," Singh told reporters who had gone to cover a literary function.

"All of them are corrupt," he shouted when he was removed from security and policemen. Wielding a small kirpan, the youth said things could have been worse but for the observance of martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur today.

Later, Pawar reacted to the incident calling it stupid and that he did not make much out of it.When asked whether he would press charges against the attacker, he said it was for police to deal with the matter.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said: "The party has never supported violence. The differences should be told in a non-violent way. Sharad Pawar is a non-violent and a good human being."

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh also called the act condemnable and said "the guilty must be punished".

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "These jokers, who seek publicity by these acts, must be taught a lesson."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, the daughter of Pawar, urged party members not to react and forget the incident.

Minister of Science and Technology and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said: "People may have anger but this is not the way to express anger. The act is highly condemnable and should be investigated thoroughly. Sharad Pawar is such a tall leader."