Cong backs Binayak appointment in panel

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has come out in support of appointment of civil rights activist Binayak Sen in a key committee of the Planning Commission,a move which has been criticised by the ruling BJP here. Sen,a physician,has been named a member of the Planning Commissions committee on health.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Ajit Jogi has justified the appointment of Sen,saying he has a long experience in working in the tribal areas. There is nothing wrong if the country wants to benefit from the services of Sen,who is a world renowned medical expert, he said.

Chhattisgarh Congress Committee member Nandkumar Patel said the issue should not be politicised and questioned the rationale behind the BJPs opposition to the activist.

A court here convicted the 61-year-old public health specialist for sedition in December last year for his links with Maoists. After spending several months behind bars,he was released after the Supreme Court granted him bail last month.