With his alleged role in 1984 anti-sikh riots haunting him, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath tonight gave up charge of Punjab assigned to him three days ago, in a clear bid to control damage in the coming Assembly polls as rivals have been raking up the issue.
Nath, who was appointed as the General Secretary in-charge of Punjab as well as Haryana only three days back, said in his letter to Gandhi, ".. I request that I may be relieved of my charge (of Punjab) to ensure that the attention is not diverted from the real issues facing Punjab." The former Union Minister said he was "hurt by the developments of the past few days wherein an unnecessary controversy has been created around the tragic 1984 riots in New Delhi."Kamal Nath has tendered his resignation as AICC General Secretary; Cong president has accepted it, party spokesman Randip Surjewala.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 15, 2016
His step came as Akali Dal, BJP and AAP had kept up attack on him and the Congress over his alleged role in the anti-Sikh riots which followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
Describing his appointment as 'sprinkling of salt on wounds' of Sikhs, the three parties were set to rake up the issue in the run up to the Assembly polls slated next year.
Appointment of 1984 SikhGenocide accused Kamal Nath,as Incharge of Punjab,is like Rubbing Salt into the Wound.#Shame pic.twitter.com/4KWDLe5S1U
— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) June 12, 2016