New Delhi: Congress may not regard Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi`s appearance before SIT probing the 2002 riots as anything extraordinary but BJP leadership on Saturday stood strongly behind him, hailing this as a political victory and one deserving the highest commendation.
As many as three BJP spokespersons saluted Modi`s much- awaited deposition before the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
"By appearing before SIT, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has demolished all mischievous speculations and scored a political victory. BJP has great faith in the chief minister of Gujarat. This graceful action vindicates the BJP stand that the chief minister of Gujarat has the highest respect for law of the land," party spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
"The dignified action deserves the highest commendation and millions of BJP workers repose highest faith in his leadership," he added.
Another BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar blamed the media for speculating on Modi`s non-appearance before the SIT.
"It was the media that created an impression that he (Modi) was not keen on appearing before the SIT. Modi respects the judiciary. He abides by the law as also the institutions
set up by the Supreme Court," Javadekar said.
Newly-appointed spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman denied suggestions that Modi`s appearance before the probe panel was an embarrassment for the party.
"I don`t think it is any embarrassment to the party. The chief minister had said in the Gujarat Assembly and also in his public letter last week that nobody was above law,
including the chief minister," she said.
Sitharaman also pointed out that no FIR was registered against the Gujarat Chief Minister.
However, Congress was not impressed with Modi`s appearance and maintained that he should be brought to justice.
"In public perception, Modi has been held guilty. I don`t think he has done anything extraordinary by appearing before the Special Investigation Team probing the Gujarat riots. He should be brought to justice," Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said here.
PTI
