Cong plans agitation in UP to support Joshi

Lucknow: Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Saturday alleged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was to blame for the arson at state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi's house in Lucknow on July 15.

Singh alleged Joshi's house was set ablaze on Mayawati’s “direction” and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must investigate the arson.

''We are sure that the torching of the house of Rita Bahuguna Joshi was done at the direction of the state Chief Minister and only a CBI probe can reveal the real motive behind the incident,'' said Singh.

Singh, Union Ministers Salman Khurshid and Jitin Prasada visited Josh’s house on Saturday morning. Joshi has said she will not renovate her house till the CBI is asked to probe the arson.

Singh, Congress general secretary in charge of UP, said his party workers would court arrest if the CBI is not brought in. ''If a CBI probe is not ordered by July 31, the party will launch a jail bharo agitation from August 1 and will reveal the real face of the BSP government to the people,'' he said.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday reserved its judgment on the petition filed by Joshi for a CBI probe.

Joshi is accused of making slanderous comments against Mayawati and is out on bail after being booked under a law to prevent harassment of Dalits.