NEW DELHI, July 24: The Congress tonight stepped up pressure on Gujral government on the issue of police firing in mumbai with party chief Sitaram Kesri demanding withdrawal of certain observations made by Home Minister Indrajit Gupta in Lok Sabha yesterday and his apology for the same.

Kesri told the party steering committee which discussed the political situation in Maharashtra that the issue of atrocities on Dalits in the state would be taken up ``very strongly and seriously'' with Prime Minister I K Gujral.

The remarks of Kesri assume significance in view of the fact that his party, which is a major supporting party of the United Front Government, has already demanded dismissal of the Shiv Sena-BJP Government in the State following desecration of the statue of B R Ambedkar and subsequent police firing.

It was also decided to appoint a sub-committee of the Steering Committee to deal with the problem of dalits.

The meeting at the outset passed a resolution expressing anguish over loss of lives in police firing.

The meeting felt the issue was not confined to Maharashtra but concerned the entire nation as there were atrocities on Dalits on Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Regretting that Gupta relied on the assurance given by an ``extra-constitutional authority'' like Bal Thackeray, Kesri said the observations made by the home minister in that connection should be withdrawn and he should express regret.

Among other things the home minister spoke of allegations that Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chhagan Bhujbal had links with a leader of underworld.

Bhujbal and the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, Madhukar Pichad, gave a detailed account of the incidents in the State at the meeting.Members of AICC fact-finding team which visited Mumbai following the incidents also spoke at the meeting.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.