Date:29/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/29/stories/2007112962311400.htm

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Modi declares assets worth Rs.40 lakh

Manas Dasgupta

Files nomination for Maninagar Assembly seat in Ahmedabad; Patel is Congress candidate

— Photos: PTI

Home turf: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with supporters in Ahmedabad on Wednesday before filing papers from the Maninagar constituency for the Assembly election.

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his principal rival, Union Minister of State for Petroleum Dinsha Patel, filed their papers as BJP and Congress candidates for the Maninagar Assembly seat here on Wednesday.

It was the last day for filing nominations for the 95 constituencies in central and north Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, going to the polls in the second phase on December 16. After the last day, Tuesday, for withdrawals for the December 11 first phase, 696 candidates remain in the fray in 87 constituencies in the Kutch-Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions.

Mr. Modi, in his affidavit filed along with the nomination, declared ownership of property worth about Rs. 40 lakh, including Rs. 30 lakh in the present market valuation of a house in Gandhinagar he purchased years ago for Rs.1.3 lakh. In addition, he said, he owned a small house in Ahmedabad and Rs. 3.39 lakh in national savings certificates, and had about Rs. 95,000 in cash in a bank account.

He said he did not own a car, nor did he have any debt or case pending in any court.

Clash in Congress camp

In an unsavoury incident, the offices of the State Congress headquarters and the Ahmedabad city district unit witnessed vandalism by supporters of the former Mayor Himmatsinh Patel, who was denied party ticket to contest the Rakhial seat here.

Union Minister of State Dinsha Patel filing his nomination as the Congress candidate against Mr. Modi.

At least three persons were injured when his supporters clashed with the supporters of Dhirubhai Dudhwala, who was given party nomination at the last moment.

Meanwhile, the sudden announcement by Uma Bharti withdrawing candidates of her Bharatiya Janshakti Party from contest caused confusion among the nominees and party leaders. Her second in command Umesh Dutt Mathur, who is also the election in charge in the State, said he was not aware of any change in her decision until he spoke to her on Wednesday evening. Over 25 candidates had filed their nominations for the first phase of polling, but the deadline for withdrawals passed. Thirty-odd candidates figuring in the second phase have said they will not withdraw from contest.

Ad on Godhra incident

New Delhi Special Correspondent reports:

In New Delhi, the Congress said it was for the Chief Election Commission to take note of an advertisement put out by the BJP on the Godhra incident. The advertisement also refers to the Bannerjee Commission set up by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.

Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said the party sought a report from the State unit and “if necessary,” it would approach the CEC. “The BJP wants communal tension and wants to divide society for its gains. It is for the CEC to take note of the ad.”