M A I N   N E W S

BJP promises to be Gujaratis’ saviour

Ahmedabad, December 1
Completely skirting Godhra and the subsequent communal violence, the BJP today pledged to fight terrorism in Gujarat by launching an anti-terrorist movement, training youth and creating a new state commando force to counter terrorism.

Gujarat caretaker Chief Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a procession in Visnagar on Saturday. — Reuters photo

The BJP released a 15-page manifesto ‘BJP-saviour of five crore Gujaratis’ at a press conference after an audio-visual presentation in the presence of the caretaker Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, a former Chief Minister, Mr Keshubhai Patel, and the state BJP President, Mr Rajendra Singh Rana.

The leaders emphasised that the manifesto laid stress on security and development, that would take the state into 21st century.

When a reporter asked about the absence of Godhra in the document, an angry Mr Modi shot back saying, “No political party pledges to enact riots in a manifesto. There is only a resolve to give security. It is unfortunate that the riots have not gone away from the minds of some people who are interested in keeping Gujarat aflame. We will not allow that. I have come prepared against such questions.”

The manifesto makes no reference to the Godhra train massacre or to the subsequent communal violence that claimed hundreds of lives or to the Akshardham temple attack, where about 30 devotees were killed by terrorists.

On minority welfare, it said “in order to ensure that development of children, who study in madrasas which are increasing by leaps and bounds, is consistent with Gujarat’s development in the 21st century, a detailed study would be conducted and effective steps taken in this regard,” it said.