Centre has forgotten Akshardham victims: Modi

Anand, Nov 27: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, taking a dig at the Centre for announcing a compensation package for the Godhra riots victims, today said the Union government has ''conveniently forgotten'' the victims of Akshardham temple attack.

''Why is the Centre not sparing a thought for these victims,'' he wondered while speaking at the Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) at Bochasan village, 25 km from here.

The three-day function commenced yesterday with a 'world peace yagna' which was conducted by 5,000 NRIs and the Pramukh Swami Maharaj and other temple authorities.

BAPS is approaching its centenary year in 2007, preparations for which would start soon, said the temple authorities. However, the details of the arrangements would be revealed tomorrow.

Minister of State for Petroleum Dinsha Patel, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharat Solanki, Gujarat Cricket Association president and Congressman Narahari Amin also attended the function.

UNI