Unfair to blame Modi for ’02 riots: Rajnath
Defending Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that it was unfair to blame him for the 2002 Gujarat riots. He, however, while trying to reach out to the Muslim community, described the incidents which took place in 2002 as “unfortunate” and assured that his party was ready to sort out any “confusion” over its approach towards the majority among the minority communities.
Addressing BJP’s Minority Morcha’s national executive meeting here, Mr Singh said, “One of our states is Gujarat. I agree an unfortunate incident has taken place. Who does not agree that it was unfortunate? Attempts were made to blame Narendra Modi as if the riots were planned by the chief minister.”
The BJP president said during his personal interactions with Mr Modi, he tries to read his facial expressions. “He looks so sad (about the blame game)...What is wrong with the people. Is it politics,” he asked while referring to charges that Mr Modi was behind the riots.
Suggesting that people should ask the Muslims of Gujarat whether they feel any discrimination under BJP rule, Mr Singh asserted that BJP does not believe in the concept of hatred and said it was ready to correct any mistakes it could have committed. He also said, any such “confusion” can be sorted out by talking to each other.
“I want to say if there is any issue, if there is some confusion, then we can find a solution by talking to each other. When there is no scope to talk to each other, then problems (gadbad) can arise...Wherever there is a mistake, we will correct it,” Mr Singh said seeking to reach out to the Muslims ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due next year.
The BJP president also used the occasion to lash out at Congress, accusing it of adopting the British policy of “divide and rule”.
Incidentally, Mr Singh’s remarks on Mr Modi came a day after senior party leader Arun Jaitley said that there should be no controversy over the issue of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, as that would be akin to committing a “hit-wicket” and turn out to be the only possible reason for the main opposition losing the upcoming general elections.
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