Savarkar's ideology divisive: Cong

The Congress on Monday dismissed Veer Savarkar's ideology as divisive and sought to downplay its ally, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's, criticism of Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar for his controversial remarks against the freedom fighter.

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The party charged the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena with creating a controversy around Savarkar with an eye on coming assembly polls in Maharashtra.

"This is their [BJP's] political agenda," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters when asked about Aiyar's remarks that there is no difference between Savarkar and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

"We have always rejected Savarkar's ideology and political philosophy....his was a divisive ideology. We are consistent and firm in its rejection. We don't need to revise our opinion," Sharma said.

On DMK chief M Karunanidhi's criticism of Aiyar, he said leaders and allies have "complete freedom to express their views and the decision about Savarkar (removal of his plaque from Port Blair cellular jail memorial) was not taken by the council of ministers of UPA."

When pointed out that several Maharashtra leaders, including Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and state PCC chief Prabha Rau, had hailed Savarkar, Sharma said: "I don't think that anyone of them has endorsed the philosophy of Sarvarkar."