"During assembly elections in 2002, 2007 and 2012, Modi hid his marital status by leaving the space blank. Now, in his latest affidavit, he has accepted that he is married to Jashodaben. However, he has provided no further information, such as her PAN card number or her income. It proves that Modi continues to hide facts from the people," Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Arjun Modhwadia alleged during a press conference here today.
However, Congress legal cell's chairman Pankaj Champaneri, who was also at the press conference did not give any concrete answer about the party's future course of action against Modi.
"In 2003, the Supreme Court gave a verdict that candidature cannot be cancelled merely on the basis of false information furnished in the affidavit, but it is a question of voters' basic right to know everything about their leader," Champaneri said.
"There was a deleberate attempt by Modi to project himself as a 'bachelor' by not revealing that he was already married. On one side he talks about women empowerment, but on the other side, he has dumped his own wife. Modi must resign as Gujarat chief minister for hiding such crucial information," Modhwadia, who was also accompanied Congress spokesperson Ami Yagnik and Viramgam MLA Tejashree Patel, said.
"Though Jasodaben never raised her voice, we wish to know why she was not given her rights as a lawfully wedded wife for more than 40 years. Modi must apologise to the nation for what he has done," Yagnik said.