EC seeks report on Modi's remarks; Cong, Left flay CM

Surat/New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) The Election Commission today sought a report from the Surat Collector on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's remarks at a rally yesterday justifying the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in an encounter, even as the Congress and the Left denounced Mr Modi's utterances though the BJP put up a stout defence in his favour.

''I have not yet received a report from the Surat Collector on the speech of Mr Modi,'' Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy told reporters here.

Mr Gopalaswamy said though reports in this connection have appeared in the media, he has sought an official explanation from the Collector. After receiving the report he will firm up his opinion on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Left parties asked the Centre, the CBI, NHRC, Supreme Court and the people of the country to take note of Mr Modi's utterances.

The CPI(M) and the CPI said the move was necessitated as the Chief Minister was trying to whip up communal polarisation to achieve a hat-trick in the upcoming Gujarat assembly polls.

Mr Modi...Eds: Here picking up from line one para four of DR 84.

UNI