Bjp blames the media for speculating on modi’s non-appearance before the Special Investigating Team
Leaders in Gujarat and at the national level reacted to chief minister Narendra Modi’s deposition before the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigating Team (SIT). While the BJP wanted to keep it low profile, to lower the embarrassment of the chief minister, who has been accused of various charges, the Congress demanded the CM’s resignation on moral grounds.
The SIT had summoned Modi to depose in connection with a complaint of Zakia, widow of former Congress MP Eshan Jaffery, who was killed in Gulbarg society riot case of 2002 along with 69 others.
Social activist and known Modi-baiter Teesta Setalvad termed the SIT’s questioning of the BJP leader as a ‘significant development.’ “It is a very significant step that a sitting Chief Minister is actually forced to answer very hard questions regarding his role in the 2002 riots,” she said. Setalvad said that the development was significant as it sent out a message that with the Supreme Court watching, nobody is above the law. She said that Modi’s questioning could lead to an FIR being lodged against the Chief Minister. “We have full faith that with the
Supreme Court’s eagle eye on the case, justice will be done.”
Another riot victim Fatima Sheikh said, “We want justice for the youth and kids who lost their lives during the post-Godhra riots”. People who lost their kith and kin during the riots still feel the pain of losing their loved ones, she added.
Jaynarayan Vyas, the official spokesman of the state government, said Modi’s decision to submit himself for questioning was no setback for the state government and we have always said that he will abide by the rule of the law but much hype is being made. He is cooperating.”
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said it was unfortunate for a chief minister to be in a situation like that. “It is most unfortunate that Modi landed himself into that kind of a situation. It is not desirable but unfortunately it has happened,” he said.
“It is unprecedented that a person occupying a Constitutional position, that too of the chief minister, has been summoned for investigation in a case of mass murder,” Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said.
BJP blamed the media for speculating on Modi’s non-appearance before the SIT. “It was the media that created an impression that he (Modi) was not keen on appearing before the SIT. Modi respects the judiciary. He abides by the law as also the institutions set up by the Supreme Court,” BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said, “In public perception Modi has been held guilty. I don’t think he has done anything extraordinary by appearing before the Special Investigation Team probing the Gujarat riots. “He should be brought to justice,” she said.
Another BJP spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman said “I dont think it is any embarrassment to the party. The Chief Minister had said in the Gujarat Assembly and also in the public letter last week that nobody was above the law and that also included the Chief Minister of the state,” she said. She also pointed out that no FIR was registered against the Gujarat chief minister.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}