The Hindu : Poll panel stops a near-complete Modi `yatra'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 21, 2004

National

National

Poll panel stops a near-complete Modi `yatra'

By Manas Dasgupta

VADODARA, MARCH 20. The "Narmada Pujan Yatra" launched by the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, to "celebrate" the Narmada Control Authority's permission to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam to 110.64 metres was suspended at Dabhoi at the instance of the Election Commission.

The ban order on the "yatra," which started from Ahmedabad last night and resumed its onward journey this morning, was served on it when it had reached Waghodia this evening completing more than 80 per cent of its scheduled 200-km route to Kevadia Colony, the construction headquarters of the dam.

Planned by the State unit of the BJP, the "yatra" had by and large served its purpose by the time it was stopped on a complaint filed by the State unit of the Congress on the grounds of "violation" of the model code of conduct.

The BJP decided to suspend the "yatra" after holding a meeting in Dabhoi, about 40 km from here. Almost the entire Cabinet of Mr. Modi and several senior leaders of the BJP joined the "yatra" which was flagged off by the former Chief Minister, Keshubhai Patel, last night.

Thousands of people gathered at various cities and towns en route to receive the "yatra" which passed through Kathlal, Kapadvanj, the Lok Sabha constituency of the former Pradesh Congress president, Shankarsinh Waghela, Savli and Waghodia before it was terminated at Dabhoi. Addressing the meeting at Dabhoi, Mr. Modi said he respected the directive of the Election Commission but said the "Narmada Pujan" was a matter of faith and he would perform the unfinished puja after the elections. He also thanked the EC for allowing the NCA permission though the elections were round the corner.

Mr. Modi and other BJP leaders blamed the Congress for the "delay" in completing the dam project. He charged the Congress with trying to "derail" the Narmada project. Without naming Mr. Waghela, he said the dam project would have been completed some five years ago but the then Chief Minister came in the way and delayed it. The Congress, he said, did not believe in the development of the State and its complaint to the Election Commission amply demonstrated its "anti-Narmada stance." He also alleged that the Congress had "instigated" the Narmada Bachao Andolan to file a petition in the Supreme Court yesterday to secure a stay on raising the dam height.

The State Unit of the Congress had filed an official complaint with the Election Commission yesterday claiming that the "yatra" was a clear violation of the model code of conduct, particularly after the NCA gave the clearance on condition that no official functions or ceremonies would be organised.

The BJP, however, claimed that it was no different from the "Bharat Uday Yatra'' of the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and similar other "yatras" being taken out by various political parties to put across their view points to the people. A spokesman of the party said the model code of conduct was applicable to the Government and not to the political parties.

However, when contacted after the ban order was served on the BJP this evening, the party spokesman, Nalin Bhatt, declined to make any comment. He said the party's reaction would be communicated later after the senior leaders considered the situation. He, however, disagreed that it was any setback to the party.

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