Minister of State for Home Affairs and Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said the general view in the Congress party is that BJP leader Sushma Swaraj [ Images ] should be tried for treason for alleging that the "Centre has role in the blasts in Karnataka [ Images ] and Ahmedabad [ Images ]".

In an exclusive interview to rediff.com, Ahmed said this was the most unfortunate statement coming from a senior leader of the BJP.

"Our opinion is that she should be tried for treason and I am speaking to you as the spokesperson of the party and not a minister. This kind of statement undermines the investigations and is an attempt to change the direction of investigations. The ISI will be too pleased with her statement as it comes from a senior leader and a former minister of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee [ Images ] government. This is like virtually giving a clean chit to terrorists," he said

Ahmed said Swaraj should tender unconditional apology from the nation.

He denied that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi [ Images ] refused to receive Sonia Gandhi [ Images ] in the blast-hit Ahmedabad, by saying that the protocol did not allow him to do that.

"I am not aware that Modi made such a statement. Sonia has never sought favours from any states and has been going directly to the places where she has to visit," Ahmed said.

He stressed on the importance of having a federal agency to investigate crimes which have been committed in several states so that it could be properly coordinated.