Riot accused at fast,Modi ducks queries on 2002 responsibility

Patel,who was then a VHP general secretary,said he was at the venue of the fast being held for “communal harmony” as a BJP worker. Vaidhya,a former active member of the Bajrang Dal,said he had come to meet Modi because ‘sadbhavana’ is a “good thing”.

Having projected a moderate side in the run-up to the fast,Modi today continued to try and reap the fruits without balancing his applecart. Parrying questions on whether he accepted moral responsibility for the 2002 riots,he struck out at the media: “What is this thing?… You people like to stretch such a lie that you like.”

Asked in what way he would regret the killings that took place in the state then,he said: “I have talked about it elaborately in my letter today. I had made a statement then also,but you people forgot it when it is the truth. You (the media) are always looking for gossip and if you like a lie,you stretch it to any extent.”

Modi also denied he was celebrating the Supreme Court order on the Ehsan Jafri case and instead said he was merely fasting. “Who is celebrating? I am only fasting. Is this celebration? And what verdi are you talking about? Has there been a single FIR against Modi in any police station? Has Modi been named in any case on the Gujarat violence?”

Asked whether he wanted to play a bigger role in national politics,Modi said: “Every chief minister is playing a role in national politics. I am already working for my country and doing it a service.”

Asked specifically on whether he intended to play a bigger role within the BJP,Modi repeated: “I am small party worker. I am working for Gujarat,I am working for my party and for my country.”

Defending his presence at Modi’s venue,Jaydeep Patel said: “I am a BJP worker and so would naturally be present here. And I am serving the Hindu saints present at the spot.”

Patel,who is out on bail in the Naroda Gam case,refused to comment on the large number of Muslims coming to the venue. “They might have come because this is a ‘sadbhavana’ programme. I do not want to give any reaction on that.”

Vaidhya claimed his belief towards ‘sadbhavana’ had been strengthened after he was named in the Gulberg Society case. ”No Hindu organisation has helped me after I got arrested. So,why not live with communal harmony and work for the development of the country?” he said.

“I think ‘sadbhavana’ is a good thing. And like hundreds of visiting people,I also went and met the CM yesterday.”

On the Muslim presence at Modi’s fast,Vaidhya said: “Muslims must have seen that in the last around 10 years, there has been no communal disturbance in Gujarat and people from all communities are doing their business properly and making profits.”