N A T I O N

Modi trying to divide country: Congress
New Delhi, July 13
Slamming Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s Campaign Committee chief Narendra Modi’s remarks in defence of his role in the 2002 Godhra riots, Congress leaders today questioned latter’s Hindu nationalism, and said he was attempting to divide India.
Digvijay Singh, Cong Gen Secy

Sena praises him
Mumbai, July 13
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi may have hit some raw nerves by reiterating his claim of being a Hindu nationalist, but that is not enough to let him lord over the heart of Hindus, says the Shiv Sena.

Cong in habit of twisting facts: BJP
New Delhi, July 13
A day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's "puppy" allegory in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots drew wide condemnation, the BJP slammed the Congress, saying it was "twisting" what was said. "The Congress is in the habit of twisting facts about what Gujarat Chief Minsiter Narendra Modi has to say. They are also in the habit of digging at Modi's popularity and impeccable integrity," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news channel here.

BSP MP defends Modi’s remarks
Mahoba (UP), July 13
Under Opposition attack for his “puppy” remark on 2002 riots, Narendra Modi today found support from a BSP MP who said it showed that the Gujarat CM was a "sensitive" person.

Party will decide on Rahul’s role: Janardan Dwivedi
New Delhi, July 13
Contradicting Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh who said yesterday that the party would not name Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate, top Congressman Janardan Dwivedi today said these remarks were the personal opinion of Singh and the party would take a call on the future role of Rahul Gandhi.

Naxals gun down ex-SPO
Gadchiroli, July 13
A former special police officer (SPO), who had been associated with the banned Salwa Judum, was allegedly shot dead today by Naxals in Yerkad village here on the suspicion that he was working as a police informer.

BSP ex-minister Kushwaha’s kin join SP
Lucknow, July 13
The wife and brother of former BSP minister and accused in the multi-crore NRHM scam Babu Singh Kushwaha today joined the Samajwadi Party.

 

pran cremated Body of legendary actor Pran being taken for cremation in Mumbai on Saturday. Veteran lyricist Gulzar, director Karan Johar, actors Danny Denzongpa, Shatrughan Sinha and Anupam Kher and director Karan Johar were present at the funeral along with a host of other stalwarts of the Bollywood fraternity. PTI

 

Modi trying to divide country: Congress
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 13
Slamming Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s Campaign Committee chief Narendra Modi’s remarks in defence of his role in the 2002 Godhra riots, Congress leaders today questioned latter’s Hindu nationalism, and said he was attempting to divide India.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh tweeted asking Modu not to divide India. “Should we all not be nationalist Indians?” Digvijay asked Modi who had in an interview to a foreign agency said, “I am a Hindu nationalist.”

Equating Modi to Veer Savarkar and MA Jinnah, Digvijay added, “Don't divide this great nation on basis of religion which Savarkar and Jinnah did. They were the original authors of the two-nation theory.”

Another Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad said people of both religions died in the Gujarat riots in 2004. “People of both religions died at that time. They were all Gujaratis. By calling those who died puppies, Narendra Modi is demeaning the Gujaratis,” Ahmad said.

Political furor broke out following the remarks which Modi made to a foreign news agency: “Even If I am in the back seat of a car and a puppy comes under the wheels, isn’t it painful? It is. Whether I’m a CM or not, I am a human being. I will be sad if something bad happens anywhere.”

The Gujarat CM also said he had done absolutely the right thing during the 2002 riots and that his government had used its “full strength” to set things in order. He had added, “I am nationalist. I’m patriotic. Nothing is wrong. I am born Hindu. Nothing is wrong. So I’m a Hindu nationalist. So yes, you can say I’m a Hindu nationalist because I’m a born Hindu.”

The Congress leaders today said Modi’s analogy was unfortunate. Some said Modi’s remarks, even if attempted at polarising the majority and minority in India, would fail. “In India, the majority detests such language. These remarks will have no polarising effect,” said a senior Congress leader.

Sena praises him
Shiv Kumar/TNS

Mumbai, July 13
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi may have hit some raw nerves by reiterating his claim of being a Hindu nationalist, but that is not enough to let him lord over the heart of Hindus, says the Shiv Sena.

“Bal Thackeray will always be called Hindu Hriday Samrat because the title was bestowed upon him by the people. If Narendra Modi wants to be known by this title, let the people anoint him as such,” Sanjay Raut, party spokesman and MP said.

The Shiv Sena, however, lauded Modi’s commitment to Hindutva and extended full support to him. “We fully support Modi in his efforts for the Hindutva cause,” Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna said. “Modi should be praised for following in Balasaheb’s footsteps,” Raut said.

Cong in habit of twisting facts: BJP

New Delhi, July 13
A day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's "puppy" allegory in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots drew wide condemnation, the BJP slammed the Congress, saying it was "twisting" what was said.

"The Congress is in the habit of twisting facts about what Gujarat Chief Minsiter Narendra Modi has to say. They are also in the habit of digging at Modi's popularity and impeccable integrity," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news channel here.

"Now it is clear that there is some kind of hatred against Modi, but the more they (Congress) seek to hate him without any basis, Modi's popularity is going to rise among the people of the country," he said.

Modi, in an interview to an international news agency, had claimed that his administration was above blame in its conduct during the 2002 riots, but he felt bad, just as he might feel bad if a puppy were run over by a car.

The comments raked up a controversy, and were criticised widely. — IANS

BSP MP defends Modi’s remarks

Mahoba (UP), July 13
Under Opposition attack for his “puppy” remark on 2002 riots, Narendra Modi today found support from a BSP MP who said it showed that the Gujarat CM was a "sensitive" person.

"If he says that he feels bad if a puppy gets crushed under the wheels of his car, then it shows that he is a sensitive and compassionate person. His remarks are being misinterpreted," Vijay Bahadur Singh, MP from Hamirpur in UP, said. — PTI

Party will decide on Rahul’s role: Janardan Dwivedi
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 13
Contradicting Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh who said yesterday that the party would not name Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate, top Congressman Janardan Dwivedi today said these remarks were the personal opinion of Singh and the party would take a call on the future role of Rahul Gandhi.

"Individuals may have their opinion, but the final decision on such issues is taken by the party only. The Congress had declared in Jaipur at the time when Rahul Gandhi was appointed party's vice-president that the question of campaign and leadership would be decided later. No time frame was announced," Janardan said while responding to Digvijay's remarks that the Congress did not have the tradition of naming either the PM or the CM candidate.

Digvijay had, in an interview to a news agency, said yesterday, "Since we don't have a presidential form of government, we do not name candidates ahead of elections."

Naxals gun down ex-SPO

Gadchiroli, July 13
A former special police officer (SPO), who had been associated with the banned Salwa Judum, was allegedly shot dead today by Naxals in Yerkad village here on the suspicion that he was working as a police informer.

Ultras barged into the house of Dilip Narote this afternoon and shot him dead. Dilip had worked as an SPO for a CRPF battalion before Salwa Judum (civilian militia) was disbanded. — PTI

BSP ex-minister Kushwaha’s kin join SP
Shahira Naim/TNS

The SP had made a major political issue of the NRHM scam during the Mayawati regime after which Kushwaha had to resign as the minister in charge. SP had vocally opposed Kushwaha joining the BJP just before the 2012 Vidhan Sabha poll after he was unceremoniously thrown out of the BSP.