Congress's pot shots at Anna Hazare

New Delhi, Apr 23: Seizing on an IPS officer's filing an affidavit implicating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in post-Godhra riots, Congress on Friday took pot shots at social activist Anna Hazare saying those praise Modi should introspect.

"This is a known fact that it was not riot that had happened in Gujarat but a state-sponsored terrorism. We appeal to all those who praise the Gujarat Chief Minister to take a look at the PIL filed in the SC and the plight of those killed in the carnage," party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here without naming the anti-corruption crusader.

Asked if he was referring to Hazare who had praised Modi government's rural development work, Tewari said "I am not pointing at any specific person but appealing to all those industrialists, social workers and actors, who have praised Modi in the last nine years, to look at this PIL, the report of Nanavati Commission (which went into 2002 Gujarat riots) and similar PILs filed in the Supreme Court, and introspect."

In his affidavit in the Supreme Court, IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt is learnt to have said that the Chief Minister had at a meeting held on February 27, 2002 expressed the view that Hindus be allowed to vent their anger.

Asked whether Congress would seek resignation of Modi on the issue, Tewari saracstically said "we have no expectations of morality from RSS and BJP who are yet to seek even an aplogy from the people for the riots."

Asked about the party's notice to senior leaders not to be make personal comments and stick to the official line on different issues, Tewari said there was no gag order.

"It has been a tradition in the party that the party line on any issue is presented through the spokesperson but senior leaders talk on issues and clear things," he said.

PTI