Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) The Congress Tuesday hit back at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in particular Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, terming as “false” the allegation that the central government was putting pressure on central cadre officials to compromise interests of BJP-ruled states.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here that the BJP was displaying its “political bankruptcy” and making a false allegation against the central government.

He also attacked Modi, saying that the chief minister, who masterminded “a genocide” in Gujarat in 2002, should not be making such allegations.

“The person (Modi) mastering genocide, rather than stepping down, is accusing the central government of instigating the Gujarat officer. This shows political bankruptcy of BJP. It is a false allegation,” Tewari said.

Modi has been facing flak after a senior police officer from the state, in an affidavit before the Supreme Court, said the chief minister had asked state officials to turn a blind eye during the 2002 riots and allow Hindus to vent their anger over the Sabarmati Express train burning in Godhra.

“Even for a minute, if this (BJP’s) allegation is considered to be true. Is provoking someone to speak the truth a crime?” Tewari asked, though he did not mention the Gujarat cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer’s Sanjiv Bhat’s affidavit to the apex court.

“Not just one official, several people have raised an accusing finger at the chief minister for his complicity in the riots,” he added.

At its chief ministers conclave here earlier in the day, the BJP accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of “compromising interests” of their states by putting pressure on central cadre officers and complained that the governors were acting as “political agents” of the ruling coalition.

Briefing reporters about the conclave, BJP general secretary J.P. Nadda said the chief ministers complained about pressure being exerted on central service officers working in states.