Cong dealing with Anna in "autocratic" manner: BJP

BJP today accused the Congress-led UPA government of dealing with Anna Hazare, who plans to go on a fast-unto-death on corruption issue, in an "autocratic" manner and said the behaviour is reminiscent of the Emergency days.

BJP on Saturday accused the Congress-led UPA government of dealing with Anna Hazare, who plans to go on a fast-unto-death on corruption issue, in an "autocratic" manner and said the behaviour is reminiscent of the Emergency days.

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"Congress is never at ease in dealing with civil society and political parties. It wants the Anna Hazare matter to be put to rest. We are not surprised at this behaviour of the Congress. This is the party which had imposed emergency on the country and what is being done now is an example of that," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

Asked if BJP was supporting Hazare's cause on lokpal bill, she said the party will give "moral support" to anybody who is fighting corruption.

Sitharaman charged Congress was showing its "autocratic ways" by laying conditions for Hazare's fast and dithering on providing a viable venue for it.

Delhi Police, allegedly at the behest of the central government, had laid down 22 conditions for Hazare's fast.

He has accepted 20 of these conditions but refused to end the fast in three days and keep the crowd restricted to only 5,000.