Jairam Ramesh, Amit Shah in war of words over 2002 riots issue

New Delhi: Union minister Jairam Ramesh and BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday sparred over 2002 riots in Gujarat with the former suggesting that the Ahmedabad court, which accepted the clean chit given to Narendra Modi by SIT, might be under the influence of the state government.

Shah, a close aide of Modi, took on Ramesh over the allegation, saying local courts work independently of state governments and under the higher judiciary. He said UPA government shies away from debate over its governance record and instead harps about 2002 riots in a bid to "polarise" elections. The former Gujarat home minister also contested the charge that Modi did not visit Muslim victims, saying he went to eight Muslim camps and has ensured the community`s economic development. "Where is the lower court? In Ahmedabad," retorted Ramesh as Shah spoke about the Supreme Court-appointed SIT`s clean chit which was referred to the lower court by the SC. The BJP leader said the Congress`s decision of not announcing Rahul Gandhi as its PM candidate has a lot to do with Modi`s nomination and the response he is drawing from the people. "They may not say Rahul is their PM candidate but wherever you go and I have been visiting UP and Gujarat extensively, the Congress` campaign or posters are all focussed on him," he said at a debate in a TV channel event. Ramesh said it may be true in the first phase of campaign as the party wanted to tell people about how their Vice-President is different from Modi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. "In coming weeks and months, our campaign will focus on our programmes, agenda and promises," he said. Asked about his party`s role in 1984 Sikh riots, he said if the justice has not been done and victims not properly compensated, then it`s a blot on them. He argued that 2002 riots were an outcome of BJP`s politics of hate while the Congress leadership has apologised to Sikhs for 1984 riots.