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Friday
July 19, 2002
2210 IST

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Modi attacks 'power hungry' detractors

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who dissolved the state assembly on Friday evening, said he had resigned so that "more opportunity" was not given to his political detractors.

In an open letter to the people of the state, Modi said he was submitting the resignation of his Cabinet "at the feet of five crore people of Gujarat" and "the best spirit of democracy is to go to people".

He alleged that "for the sake of power, [some] elements are determined to create confusion, instability, and spoil the atmosphere by repeatedly talking about elections. More opportunity should not be given to those who are constantly trying to vitiate the atmosphere due to their hunger for power".

"We cannot allow a free play to those who trade with death in a border state like Gujarat. We must think about the safety of Gujarat and Gujratis. The development of Gujarat, the progress of Gujarat and the wealth of Gujarat are dear to us. It is the determination of all of us to move in that direction," he said in the letter.

He said, "No efforts are needed to find out the dangerous intentions of the power hungry."

"Deliberate campaigns to weaken the morale of the democratic institutions were carried out by the forces who wanted to defame Gujarat," Modi said, adding, "rumours were spread to demoralise police forces, divide the administration and create an atmosphere of mistrust."

Ridiculing claims that karsevaks had set fire to the Sabarmati Express, Modi said, "Attempts are going on even today to save the Godhra killers, to help them by spreading all types of imaginary stories to misdirect the inquiry and to break the mental strength of the officers conducting the inquiry, instead of trusting the judiciary."

He alleged that the "opposition" in Gujarat "believes in negative path to seize power". "What all did they not do to degrade the holy celebrations like rathyatra, how much pressure they applied in Delhi to stop rathyatra."

"Those who wanted to destabilise the peace by attacking the rathyatra were caught red-handed with deadly weapons," Modi said, adding, "another Godhra was prevented."

He said despite the best effort of communal elements, there was peace in more than 98 per cent of the state.

"Proving false those who said that Gujarat will become bankrupt, Rs 8000 crore of foreign investment has taken place," Modi said. "Amidst rumours that Gujarat is burning, 1.2 crore students" appeared for examinations "peacefully" and "even the results have been declared in time", he said.

He said all festivals -- Holi, Shivratri, Muharram and Dakor Mela -- were celebrated peacefully, trade and commerce, banks and transport were on as usual and 75 per cent voting for 1700 village panchayat elections took place peacefully.

He also cited several schemes launched by the government and said the opposition portrayed these in negative light.

PTI

The Sabarmati in Flames: Complete Coverage

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