Date:24/08/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/08/24/stories/2002082404120100.htm

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Modi's remarks on CEC draw flak

By Our New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI AUG. 23. The Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi's ``intemperate attack'' on the Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyngdoh, today drew flak from most Opposition parties and the Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, also criticised it. An agency report from Nagpur quoted Dr. Joshi as saying that ``it did not behove on the part of Mr. Modi to make such remarks against a high Constitutional authority''.

Dr. Joshi's disapproval notwithstanding, the Opposition was particularly peeved at the way in which Mr. Modi singled out Mr. Lyngdoh and his religion for attack. The Congress chief spokesman, S. Jaipal Reddy, said the Chief Minister's diatribe was misplaced as the decision on Gujarat elections was not the CEC's alone but that of the three-member Commission. ``It was an institutional decision, and not an individual one.'' Stating that the Prime Minister was supposed to protect and defend the dignity of Constitutional organs, the Congress said Mr. Vajpayee was ``guilty of the sins of omission'' for disregarding the objectionable conduct of Mr. Modi. ''It is high time the Prime Minister followed his `rajdharma','' Mr. Reddy said in reference to Mr. Vajpayee's advocacy of the same from Mr. Modi during his visit to Gujarat after the violence. ``If he allows the dignity and authority of Constitutional institutions to be trifled with by people like Mr. Modi, democracy in India will be thrown into serious jeopardy,'' Mr. Reddy said.

The CPI(M) said that it was ``shocking though revealing'' that the BJP national leadership which acted as the mentor of Mr. Modi should remain silent and refuse to condemn his remarks. In a statement, the party politburo said the episode exposed Mr. Modi's `fascist mentality towards minorities'' and should enable the entire country to understand what was at the root of the problem in Gujarat today. The CPI(ML) condemned the ``ongoing vicious campaign'' against the EC. The former Prime Minister, V. P Singh, objected to Mr. Modi's remarks and said: ``How can Narendra Modi call him (Lyngdoh), a foreigner? Just because you do not agree...this is fascism, they pick on religion,'' he said. The Janata Dal (Secular) general secretary, Danish Ali, said the outbursts reflected the ''lowest level'' that any political leader had stooped to in recent times. He said Mr. Modi's ``disgraceful'' behaviour was being ignored or perhaps even encouraged by the top BJP leaders.