For once, Modi has no comments

Narendra Modi was silent on the Supreme Court verdict on the Best Bakery trial in his state but Godhra was very much on his mind as he hit o...

Narendra Modi was silent on the Supreme Court verdict on the Best Bakery trial in his state but Godhra was very much on his mind as he hit out at the media for baiting him on the issue.

Modi, in a hurry to get onstage, pushed aside reporters who asked for his comment on the SC verdict, reversing the HC’s acquittal in the Best Bakery case.

But for the thunder and fury against the media, the Gujarat Chief Minister’s second rally in Panchmahals district at Lalbaug grounds was quintessential Modi, taking on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and parading the ‘‘development work’’ carried out by his government with the support of the Centre. Bofors got its first mention too.

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‘‘Sonia is from Italy as also Quattrocchi. Both regularly met at former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s residence. People have a legitimate right to question them about the nature of their relationship. And see Sonia’s arrogance, instead of responding, she cribs that even her great grandchildren will be asked these questions,’’ Modi said. ‘‘Madam, even the Mughals ruled only for five generations. How can you dream of ruling for eight generations? People of the country will teach you a lesson.’’

He then turned on the media for ‘‘supporting’’ Sonia. ‘‘I know these people. Working on salaries and on the rolls of some political parties, they are hell bent on spreading lies. But people know that just with the support of five to 15 newspapers, Sonia cannot get away from answering genuine questions.’’

Modi said he knew journalists were waiting to see what he would say in Godhra. Instead, he slammed the Congress’ backward class candidate for the seat as part of the party’s KHAM (Kshatriya-Harijan-Adivasi-Muslim) theory.

‘‘The Congress has done nothing but divide the country on caste and religious lines. E kahin thi aavyu? Kha javana cho? (Where did this KHAM come from? Do you want to eat this country?)’’ he said. ‘‘For the BJP, no one is backward, forward, upper caste or lower. We believe in taking all together.’’

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‘‘For foreigners, number 13 is particularly unfortunate. But For us and particularly for PM Vajpayee, it is considered good. On May 13, the day of poll results, the Congress is set to lose face.’’

The closest he got to Godhra was on the recent disconnection of power supply in the Muslim-dominated Polan Bazar. ‘‘During 50 years of Congress rule, an area in this town was not paying money for using power. In our rule, everyone has been made to pay up for the electricity used,’’ Modi said.