 "Modi admits of being married for first time under oath")
In the affidavit filed by Modi along with his nomination papers for the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, the Gujarat Chief Minister has mentioned the name of Jashodaben in the column prescribed for his spouse. However, in the columns seeking details regarding spouse, Modi has said 'have no information'.
Modi, 63, has so far contested four assembly elections but as never mentioned name of his spouse in the prescribed column. He always left it blank. Even in public he has never talked about being married. In fact he has always said that he had no family life and his life was dedicated to the nation. At one point of time during his speeches Modi went on to say that since he did not have a family he cannot do corruption.
According to reports Modi's wife Jashodaben, 62, is a retired government school teacher living in Vadnagar, Modi's home town.
What compelled Modi to admit after so many years that he was in fact married. BJP insiders said that legal advisors of the party had asked Modi to come clean on issue of his marriage as this time he was contesting a Lok Sabha election and was prime ministerial nominee of BJP.
Sources in the state elections commission said that this disclosure by Modi would not have any legal implications. "Since previously it was not mandatory for candidates to disclose spouses name or details many chose to leave the space seeking details of spouse blank. Now that the Supreme Court has made it mandatory for candidates to fill in all details and not leave blanks space, candidates will have to fill all the information," the source said, adding, "Modi's disclosure will not have impact on his candidature."
However, the Gujarat Congress has decided to file an objection with the state election commission with regards to this disclosure by the BJP's PM nominee. "First of all Modi should seek apology from the people of Gujarat for misleading them and not disclosing about his marriage to Jashodben," Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia said.
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"We are going to file an objection with the EC over this new disclosure that Modi has made. He has never during his tenure as member of Gujarat assembly disclosed his marital status. Will take all legal actions possible," he added.
Modhwadia said that Modi who is contesting Lok Sabha elections on grounds of transparency and good governance has betrayed the people by hiding his marriage with Jashodaben.
Modi has also declared assets worth Rs 1.51 crore which include Rs 51.57 lakh in form of cash, bank deposits, bonds and jewellery. He has declared a house in state capital Gandhinagar which according to present valuation is worth approximately Rs 1 crore.