Gujarat govt will act as per law, says BJP

The BJP today 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 said.

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.