Remark of Ex-CM of Uttaranchal draws protests

Talking about rising criminal activities in the state, Koshiyari, an RSS pracharak, said the present Congress government had failed to maintain law and order, which he said was much better during the BJP rule. He went on to claim that he had ordered the ‘‘elimination’’ of criminals.

Asked about the human rights issues involved, the state BJP chief said he should not be dragged into all this and the criminals needed to be dealt with firmly. The comments infuriated the ruling Congress, which burnt effigies of the BJP leader at several places in Almora and Pitthoragarh districts of Kumaon. ‘‘We have rule of law in the country. The statements of the former CM and the BJP show their fascist tendencies,’’ Surendra Aggarwal, Uttaranchal Congress spokesperson said. PCC chief and MP Harish Rawat also criticised the statement in Nainital on Saturday.