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| India-Pakistan |
| Gujarat cabinet thumps Modi... |
| 2002-05-08 |
| For the first time since the Godhra massacre and the communal riots that followed, some ministerial colleagues confronted Chief Minister Narendra Modi with embarrassing questions at the weekly Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday morning. Such an open challenge to a chief minister's authority from within his ministry is unprecedented, given the BJP's track record. They must see an opening there... Though there was no official briefing about the proceedings at the meeting, it has been learnt that senior ministers questioned Modi's style of functioning and his inability to curb the violence in the state. The tone was set by Industries Minister, and former chief minister, Suresh Mehta, who questioned Modi on the legality of appointing KPS Gill as his security advisor. The Gujarat Government had initially feigned ignorance about the exact purpose of Gill's first visit here, but later Modi had said that he had invited the former Punjab police chief. This had embarrassed the government, Mehta reportedly told Modi. Guess Gill doesn't have a reputation for being, uh... gentle. Other ministers told Modi that the continuing violence was not helping the BJP's cause since even the majority community was getting disillusioned with the government because of the disruption of normal life. Small traders, salaried people and the middle class in general — considered to be the BJP's urban support base — were getting disillusioned with the party since the riots had adversely affected their professional activities, these ministers reportedly told Modi. Bigger businessmen and industrialists too were worried about future investments in the state, they said. Well, exercising power's much more important than that stuff. If there's some sort of political advantage to be gained, then to hell with them. Besides, others are making out like bandits, so it all evens out. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |