Shimla, Aug. 22 -- Senior BJP leader and Himachal Pradesh MLA and former Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar accused the ruling Congress of politicising the National Anthem and National Song controversy, alleging that the ruling party had deliberately ignored the Opposition's demand to sing the full version of Vande Mataram in accordance with a recent parliamentary decision.

Parmar was speaking after BJP legislators staged a protest outside the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the opening day of the monsoon session, raising slogans over what they described as disrespect to Vande Mataram. The protest came after a heated confrontation between the Opposition and treasury benches inside the House over the National Anthem and National Song.

The ...