Attack on scribes an act of desperation: Sonia

‘‘It is an act of desperation of a morally bankrupt regime that is totally alienated from the people,’’ the Congress chief said.

‘‘The Congress unequivocally condemns the attack and defiling of the sanctity of the Sabarmati Ashram,’’ she said and called upon the Government to swiftly bring the culprit to book as that would add immensely to a sense of security among the people at large.

A large number of journalists and others were injured when the police launched an assault on the protestors demanding handing over of Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar, who was leading a peace meeting at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, chief of the Gujarat unit of the Congress, Amarsinh Chaudhary, alleged that the police assault on journalists was prompted by state Chief Minister Narendra Modi. ‘‘The BJP Government is frustrated and today’s incident demonstrates its frustration,’’ he said.

Claiming that what is happening in Gujarat for the past one month is a ‘‘state-sponsored’’ violence, Chaudhary directly held the Chief Minister responsible for the violence in the state and demanded stern action against the police officers, responsible for the incident.

Asked if the BJP in Gujarat was aiming for an early polls, he claimed that though Modi wanted an early election, the feedback they got was not favourable and the BJP had decided to put off their plan for the time being.

However, the Congress was prepared to face the polls at any time, he said. Meanwhile, Congress MP Ahmed Patel tonight condemned the attack.

In a statement issued here, Patel said the attack on the mediapersons should be condemned.