‘Express expose to blow lid off link between BJP, rioters’

Union Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela said here today that The Indian Express expose on Gujarat BJP leaders’ telephones would help the prosecution pin-point the nexus between them and the rioters during post-Godhra violence in Gujarat.

Vaghela said BJP leaders had so far tried to esape blame for fanning violence by offering lame excuses. The records of their telephone use, according to him, proved the hollowness of their claims. One could easily figure out who was doing what when violence broke out in the aftermath of riots.

The minister saw a pattern in the entire chain of events — the burning of Sabarmati Express at Godhra, followed by riots and a vicious anti-minority campaign and elections. He said there were indications that the ill-fated train coaches were set ablaze from inside. An inquiry was already underway to determine the truth. The role of the government — the chief minister and the home minister — needed to be brought under a scanner.