Post-Godhra riots: Congress not to seek central rule even if Modi implicated

Gandhinagar, Aug 3 : The Congress is unlikely to demand imposition of president's rule in Gujarat even if Chief Minister Narendra Modi's involvement in the 2002 post-Godhra riots is proved, senior party leader Shankersinh Vaghela said Monday.

'The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government at the centre would only abide by apex court's orders in case the chief minister and his colleagues are found guilty in the post-Godhra riots but is unlikely to demand imposition of president's rule,' he told reporters.


Vaghela said the central government would do what the apex court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) recommends after the probe gets over in the case as it has asked for time till Dec 31, 2009 to complete it.


The former union textiles minister said that if Modi and his colleagues are found guilty in the post-Godhra carnage in Gujarat, then the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat would have to resign and a new cabinet formed.


'Modi should also not object to the call by the SIT members for questioning over the post-Godhra riots as the chief minister is already willing to depose before the Nanavati Commission, which is probing the same issue,' he said.


Vaghela said Modi should not also object to a narco test if it is demanded by the investigators probing the 2002 Godhra riots.


Moreover, the role of cabinet ministers in the Sohrabuddhin fake encounter case should also be probed by investigators as one of the accused in the case- the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) D.G. Vanzara had direct access to ministers in Gandhinagar, he added.