Why didn't Modi visit family of MP killed in 2002 riots, asks Congress

, Nov 2: The Congress on Saturday raked up the post-Godhra riots to target BJP's prime ministerial candidate and

Chief Minister

over the latter's visit to

to meet families of the victims of the October 27 serial blasts, asking whether the latter had ever visited the residence of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed during the 2002 riots across Gujarat and stood by the side of his wife.

Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal said Modi went to see the families of some persons killed in blasts before his rally but he never bothered to meet the family of the MP in Ahmedabad who was killed along with several others during the 2002 riots. He termed it as "double standards" and said Modi was looking to make political gains through his Bihar visit. Afzal added that polarisation greets Modi wherever he goes and it would only increase.

Modi visited families of two victims in Gaurichak and Kaimur and consoled and handed over Rs 5-lakh cheques to them but his helicopter failed to land in Gopalgunj where he was supposed to meet the family of the third victim, due to inclement weather. His helicopter returned to Patna.

Congress MP Ehasan Jafri was killed in the riots in Gujarat in 2002

BJP MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shamkar Prasad said the situation spoke about harmony, which was an indirect dig at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who said Modi's visit would fan communal tension and create social divisions.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made in the state due to Modi's visit as the authorities did not want to take any chances in the wake of the serial blasts on October 27 that killed six persons.

Over 1,000 Special Task Force jawans and around 100 inspectors were deployed in places where Modi was scheduled to visit. Besides, Black Cat Commandos of the National Security Guard was also in charge of Modi's security.

Four persons had been arrested till the last reports came while several others were detained during the day.

OneIndia News