Opposition leader slams Modi for communal violence

Ahmedabad, May 4 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Arjun Modhvadia today warned Chief Minister Narendra Modi against ''perpetuating communal violence'' in the state.

Commenting on recent communal flare-up at Vadodara, the Congress leader warned the Chief Minister and Gujarat BJP ''to refrain from day-dreaming of deriving any benefit from such situations in next year's assembly elections, as was done earlier.'' ''If required,'' he said, ''we will force the UPA Goverment at the Centre to take 'the last action'. The people of Gujarat and the Centre have no intention to allow any type of communal disturbance in the state.'' Mr Modhvadia said the Vadodara incident reflected the mindset of BJP and particularly that of Mr Modi. It was because of internal problem of BJP that several people took hold of the situation and succeeded in their conspiracy to drag the entire society into violence, he alleged.

However, he said, deployment of Central Forces at Vadodara from Tuesday night had brought the situation under control.

Going back to the day before the violence, he said, the management of the disputed religious place, had met Municipal Commissioner on April 30. They had also agreed to remove 'additional unauthorised' structure around the original 6x12 feet structure on their own as a compromise with a request to demolition the next day, it being May Day and also the Foundation Day of Gujarat.

Moreover, he said, the choice of the day was also wrong as the entire government machinery was busy with VIPs at Porbandar on Gujarat Day. The authorities did not make any advance planning either to cope with likely tension in case the authorities went ahead with demolition.

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