Modi's election train stops at Godhra junction

BATTLEFIELD GUJARAT

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's poll campaign has stopped at Godhra again. A BJP advertisement issued today accuses the Centre of playing games with the Godhra carnage case by appointing the Banerjee Commission of inquiry. The commission was appointed in September 2004.

Congress leaders have objected to the advertisment and say the party is exploring legal options.

The advertisement reads: "Namak Godhra ke ghao par...Banerjee se report banvayi, Kaha aag bhitar se aayee, Case kamjor, bache sab doshi...Saazish ka parda faash kara kar...Jeetega Gujarat". (Rubbing salt to Godhrawounds....(They) got a report prepared by Banerjee (committee) and said that the fire (in the S-6 coach) had erupted from within. The case got weaker, are all culprits saved? (By) unraveling the truth, Gujarat will win ")

While the BJP leaders chose not to comment, leader of opposition Arjun Modhwadia told Business Standard that the party was exploring legal action. "It comments on the Banerjee Committee. We will give a befitting reply by issuing an advertisement tomorrow. But at the same time, we are exploring if there any legal recourse," he said.

The move is being seen as Modi's last-ditch attempt to counter Uma Bharati's Bharatiya Janashakti Party and growing dissidence "" factors that may affect his Hindutva votebank.

The chief minister is trying very hard to convince Bharati to withdraw from the race as he fears a division of Hindu votes.

The BJP under Modi has decided to fight the elections on the development plank. However, Congress leaders believe Modi has been subtly trying to polarise the voters.

"After tom-tomming about development and hard-selling Gujarat as a hot investment destination, he cannot afford to go back to the stance he took in 2002. But at the same time, he feels there is a need to encash his Hindutva image," said a Congress leader.