[Reader-list] If Modi is innocent, why is he afraid of SIT

[Javed]

Gulburg riots case: CM Narendra Modi avoids SIT team

PTI, Mar 21, 2010, 07.08pm IST

NEW DELHI: Attacking Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for not
showing up before the SIT in connection with a Gujarat riots case,
Congress on Sunday said that it was "contemptuous" and showed that he
"loves to hide".

"The SIT's direction to Narendra Modi to appear before it shows the
seriousness and importance attached to the issue by the apex court,"
party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

"For Modi to avoid appearing on any ground or pretext is contemptuous
and would show that he loves to hide," he said

Modi was summoned by the SIT with regard to a complaint filed by Zakia
Jaffery, wife of slain former MP Eshan Jaffrey in the 2002 Gulburg
society riots case.

Slamming Gujarat government for spending lavishly on advertisements,
minister of state for communications and technology Sachin Pilot said
that Narendra Modi has been spending huge money for "self praise".
Pilot alleged that Modi took credit of Central schemes in the state,
demanding that he comes out with a white paper if he had launched any
scheme.

He was all praise for UPA government for its efforts in ensuring jobs
in rural areas allotment of Rs 60,000 crore for rural development. UPA
is the only government to announce unemployment allowance for jobless,
Pilot said.

Arjun Modhvadiya an MLA from Porbander said Modi has a great skill to
divert people's mind and to misguide them by making fake claims.

Modhvadiya termed the state government as anti-farmer saying there is
no additional tax on fertilizers but Modi government has slapped 23%
to 25%t VAT (Value Added Tax) on fertilizers in the state.

The BJP remained non-committal on whether chief minister Narendra Modi
would depose before the Special Investigation Team in connection with
a Gujarat riots case but said the state government "shall act as per
the law".

Asked if Modi would depose before the Supreme Court-appointed SIT, BJP
spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy evaded a direct reply.

"The government of Gujarat has made it clear that it shall act as per
the law. This government has always supported and respected the law
and will abide by it. It has the highest respect for the Supreme Court
order and directions," he told PTI.

Rudy, however, alleged that the whole process may be an attempt to tarnish Modi.

"The BJP feels this is a larger ploy and conspiracy to malign an
tarnish the image of the most progressive state and leader in the
country," Rudy said.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari had heaped praise on Modi last week saying
he was a capable leader who had the qualities to become the Prime
Minister.

"Modi is a role model for the country...," Gadkari said in an
interview to a news channel, hailing the development works being
carried out in Gujarat.

Modi has been summoned by SIT in connection with a complaint of Zakia
Jaffery, widow of former MP Eshan Jaffery who was killed by a mob
along with 69 others at Gulburg society in February 2002.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gulburg-riots-case-CM-Narendra-Modi-avoids-SIT-team/articleshow/5708917.cms