Verbal slugfest in Gujarat ahead of second phase of polls

Vadodara (Gujarat), Dec 13: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra ModiThe Congress Party has accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of using the issue of terrorism to garner votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) .

External Affairs Minister and a senior Congress Party leader Pranab Mukherjee said Modi's claim that his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was better suited to fight terrorism is a myth.

"Terrorist activities are there. We should confront the terrorists. My point is that one need not claim that unless you vote for a particular party, terrorism would aggravate. This is totally unacceptable, " Mukherjee said.

Meanwhile, cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu, campaigning for Modi's BJP in the city, asked the Congress party to sue its leaders for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots rather than blame Modi for 2002 Gujarat anti-Muslim riots.

"He (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) says that cases will be filed against those involved in 2002 riots. I want to ask that in 1984, six thousand Sikhs were massacred, and till date no FIR has been lodged, " he said.

Out of the 182 constituencies in Gujarat, 87 went to the polls on Tuesday.

The second phase of polling on December 16 will cover 95 constituencies in central and north Gujarat.

The counting of votes will take place on December 23.

The term of the State's Legislative Assembly expires on December 26.

The BJP won 127 seats, while the Congress party won 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each. (ANI)

Political Reviews: 
People: 
Regions: