Date:13/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/13/stories/2007121362551600.htm

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What Narendra Modi said in his election speech at Mangrol on December 4

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: This is a transcript of the controversial portion of the election speech made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Vakal, Tal Mangrol, Surat district, on December 4. The original speech was in Gujarati and this English translation was prepared by the Election Commission, on the basis of which it issued Mr. Modi a notice:

“Soniaji is telling around lies that Modi is merchant of death? Do I look like that to you?

“Crowd: No, No.

“No Tell me the truth?

“That is what Soniaji says — I am the merchant of death. Your government at Delhi does the job of protecting the merchant of death. The job of giving protection to the merchant of death is done by the Congress government at Delhi. Afzal Guru had attacked on the Indian Parliament, had spread terror, attacked on the Indian Parliament. The Supreme Court awarded death penalty, till now Soniaji your government is not prepared to hang this merchant of death and who is protecting this merchant of death? Soniaben, who is protecting the merchant of death? It is your government Soniaben, is doing this. It is Congress government which is doing it.

“Land of Gujarat is such where I used to throw out the merchants of death.

“Claps from the crowd.

“My Congresswalas are going round — Sorabbhai, Sorabhai, Sohrabuddin, Congressmen say that Modi is indulging in encounter, telling that Modi has killed Sohrabuddin.

“Friends from Congress you have government at the Centre, if you have the guts then send Modi to gallows. You tell me what to do with Sohrabuddin?

“From crowd: Not very clear (Kill him, kill him)

“Sohrabuddin from whose possession large cache of AK 47 rifles were found, Same Sohrabuddin whom police of four states were looking for, Sohrabbudin who attacks police, Sohrabuddin who maintains connections with Pakistan, Who raises eyes on Gujarat, then what will my police do? (Some murmur from crowd which is not very clear)

“Should they go to take permission of Soniaben?

“Are, the conditions of merchants of death in the land of Gujarat will be the same. (Claps from the crowd) If I have committed any offence, then Soniaben, your government may hang me. Congressmen, if Sohrabuddin is so dear to you then why don’t you keep vow for him? I am telling Congressmen to take vows for him. In this election if as many sitting MLA Congress has now, will return to the Assembly, then the entire Congress should go and cover four ‘Chadars’ on the grave of Sohrabuddin. Go and do this. Friends, on this land of Gujarat, I will not allow merchants of death to live peacefully. I will not allow terrorism to make foothold on the land of Gujarat. I have to provide security to the common man. Gujarat needs development also and Gujarat needs rest as well. And for this my government is working.”