The Hindu : Opposition fire directed at Modi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 04, 2002

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Opposition fire directed at Modi

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 3. The Vajpayee Government and its attitude towards the Narendra Modi regime in Gujarat came under renewed attack in the Rajya Sabha today as the Opposition continued to demand the resignation of the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi.

Resuming the discussion on the Opposition-sponsored motion under Rule 170, which entails voting, the Opposition members flayed the Government and charged that the BJP had become worried after losing electoral ground and that it had decided to turn Gujarat into a "laboratory for Hindutva experiment".

For the second successive day, much of the Opposition fire was directed at Mr. Modi, the "inadequate relief work and the absence of rehabilitation programme for the victims of violence". The ruling benches stood up in support with some allies, yet the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) disagreed with the criticism of the media role in covering the riots — a view expressed by BJP members.

Suresh Pachouri of the Congress charged that both Union Ministers and the Gujarat Chief Minister had been making ``irresponsible'' statements which added to the gravity of the situation. The Gujarat Government had not taken any preventive action which led to the Godhra incident. Obaidullah Khan Azmi said steps should be taken to restore normality while R.S. Gavai (RPI) described the continuing violence as a crime against humanity.

G.K. Vasan (Tamil Maanila Congress) said his party felt that the Modi Government had lost the moral ground to continue in office and his resignation was necessary to restore confidence among the minorities.

Among the NDA allies, Mr. Panda (BJD), while sharing the anguish over the Gujarat incidents, urged politicians to ponder how they had acquitted themselves. The media coverage had been criticised and television coverage was said to be sensational or biased. Checking the media would mean censorship but action could be taken if "bias" was proved.

The treasury benches suggested that the Opposition was raising a "bogey" that the Sangh Parivar targeted the minorities, to project itself as the sole protector of the majority and take electoral benefit. Balbir Punj said the Gujarat violence had robbed the BJP of its claim that no major communal riot had occurred in the country during the four years the NDA Government has been in power at the Centre.

Ram Jethmalani (Independent) suggested the setting up of a committee to implement relief work and offered to supervise the work in the relief camps. The Prime Minister is expected to intervene in the discussion on Monday and the Home Minister L.K. Advani's reply is expected before the debate is wound up by the motion mover.

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