Cong to decide on Tytler after court verdict

New Delhi: The shoe hurled by a Sikh journalist on Tuesday at a press conference at P Chidambaram may have missed the Home Minister, but has hit the Congress hard, raising questions on whether the party will muster courage to take back the ticket it gave to Jagdish Tytler.

Sources confirm that the party is waiting for Thursday's court verdict in the Capital. If it goes in Tytler's favour, then Congress is likely to insist that the court's verdict should be respected and Tytler deserves a chance. Bbut if the verdict goes against him or even if the court orders further inquiry, then it's very likely that Tytler may have to withdraw.

But Jagdish Tytler is an influential leader. He has frequently bounced back, so taking a quick decision is not easy.

Congress Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said, "When the time comes to make a very clear statement, that will be made. At this point of time, I would like to confine myself to saying let us wait and see what happens."

But while the Congress is dragging its feet, the Opposition is prompt in its response. Protests continued in Punjab on Wednesday. Rail and road traffic was disrupted in several places and the Congress was accused of being anti-Sikh. However, as of now, the protests are politically orchestrated, planned and managed. But if the feeling of injustice sinks into the general populace, things could get grimmer not only for the Congress, but also for Punjab.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Wednesday, "A ticket to Tytler is not the issue. People like him should be put behind bars."

Congress is deeply worried about the political fallout of the shoe-throwing incident, not just in Delhi - with a sizable Sikh population - but more in Punjab where the party hopes to increase its tally. The pressure is mounting especially for some senior party leaders who are contesting from Delhi and have a sizable Sikh population in their constituencies.

(With inputs from Jyoti Kamal Chandigarh)

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