Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has taken on the Congress and the CBI and in a second acerbic attack in last 24 hours has alleged the Centre of dirty designs but reiterated that he will not be intimidated by the “Delhi Sultanate”. Mr Modi was cheered up by the public in Palitana in Bhavnagar district when he spoke about the misuse of CBI and “Delhi Sultanate’s” dirty designs to undermine his government in Gujarat.
“Do whatever you want to but I will not be frightened,” Mr Modi dared the Congress government at the Centre, adding, “He will continue to fight for Gujarat and will not bow down to any threat.”
On Thursday night, he mocked the CBI stating that its members would soon be chosen as Congress candidates for the next civic elections in Gujarat. “Given all the activities that have been going on the in the state, I feel that Congress in the state has conceded defeat in the forthcoming municipal elections. Now Congress will have to field CBI officers as candidates for the local body polls,” he said in Ahmedabad on Thursday, adding that “no political game using CBI will bring success in Gujarat.”
Since it became clear earlier this month that the CBI was closing in on his close confidant and state minister Amit Shah, the BJP has accused the CBI of serving as an extension of the Congress party.
Top BJP leaders rejected an invite to the Prime Minister’s house for lunch last week, stating that the atmosphere could not be cordial, given that the CBI was being used by the government to settle political scores.
Meanwhile, Gujarat leader of Opposition, Shaktisinh Gohil, described Mr Modi’s rhetorical tirade as “frustration because he could not prevent Shah’s arrest”.
“It seems Modi is frustrated because his trusted man, who was entrusted with the security and safety of the state and its people, has now turned out to be extortionist,” Mr Gohil said referring to CBI chargesheet, which booked Shah and others for offences like criminal conspiracy, twin murders, extortion and kidnapping.
Mr Gohil also lashed out at Modi for using government functions to attack the Centre saying its not part of the culture Gujarat has inherited. However, it must be noted that Mr Modi’s attack on UPA and Congress and misuse of CBI has seen common people supporting him and alleging the Congress for attacking Modi to cover up its weakness.
The Congress has not been in power in Gujarat for over a decade and half and is facing an all time low rating at the moment.