National   

Modi’s statement condemnable: V.P. Singh

NEW DELHI: The former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, on Friday described as condemnable the statement of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi justifying the death of Sohrabuddin in an encounter and sought action against him under the law.

He appealed to the people to vote for the Congress to defeat the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat.

Such a statement by a Chief Minister, entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, was a violation of the law itself and made Mr. Modi liable for action, Mr. Singh said.

He appreciated the Election Commission for taking cognisance of the matter.

Mr. Modi’s statement could have serious implications for law and order in the State and even incite communal violence, he said.

Earlier incidents of such nature had been exposed by Tehelka and it was therefore necessary to defeat the BJP by voting in favour of a secular party like the Congress in the Assembly elections.

The former Prime Minister also favoured action against Mr. Modi by the Centre and said it had the power to initiate a judicial enquiry where the Central Bureau of Investigation could be asked to assist, as was done by him in the Meham (Haryana) incident.

On the Nandigram issue, he said the West Bengal Chief Minister’s admission of having committed a ‘mistake’ was thinking in the right direction.

“It appears to be a change of heart and I hope those responsible would be punished and the farmers compensated.”

He, however, sought to differentiate between the Gujarat and Nandigram issues, saying that in the former case the government was justifying its acts while in the latter the government had admitted to committing an “administrative and political mistake.”

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

No comments on Tulsi, says Advani
Sonia’s remark did not refer to individual: Sibal
CID probe ordered into Khejuri ‘graves’
Prosecute Modi: CPI(M)
AIDWA hails court order on bartenders
Affordable housing for all
Mamata meets Sonia, seeks Central intervention
J.N. Dixit ordered LTTE chief’s killing: former IPKF chief
Swamy to address Tehran meet
We don’t support fake encounters, says Naidu
Modi’s statement condemnable: V.P. Singh

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu