Gujarat riot relief a poll stunt: BJP - NDTV.com - News on Gujarat riot relief a poll stunt: BJP

Gujarat riot relief a poll stunt: BJP - NDTV.com - News on Gujarat riot relief a poll stunt: BJP


Gujarat riot relief a poll stunt: BJP
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press Trust of India

Friday, March 23, 2007 (New Delhi):


The BJP on Friday termed the announcement of a new relief package for the 2002 Gujarat riot victims as an attempt to win Muslim support in the UP polls.

Party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that both Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Babri Masjid and the new riot package were aimed at stirring religious passions ahead of the elections.

"The Election Commission should take note of such events. Rahul's comments on Babri and the riot package are both linked together. The Congress is desperately trying to use religious passions in these elections," he said.

"Why only Gujarat and why not the same package for victims of every communal violence that occurred after 1984? And why now and why not earlier?" Naqvi asked.

His comments came in the wake of the Centre approving Rs 3.5 lakh ex gratia, on the lines of the 1984-riot relief package, to the next of kin of each of the 1,169 people killed in the Gujarat riots five years ago.