Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: December 7, 2007
In the thick of controversy over his remarks
on Sohrabuddin encounter killing, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has
accused Sonia Gandhi of provoking him by calling him the "merchant of
death". He also opposed fake encounters and said he was a law-abiding
citizen who would uphold the supremacy of the Indian Constitution.
A day after his remarks made at an election meeting created a political furore,
Modi defended his position in an interview to TIMES NOW channel. Excerpts:.
Q.: How do you assess your campaigning as
of now?
A.: BJP has won in all elections held in Gujarat since 2002 and this time
too the BJP will win by a big margin.
Q.: Congress is saying you started talking
about development but have gone back to your own Hindutva agenda.
A.: I have been talking of development from the beginning. I have talked about
rural electrification, Narmada Yojana, growth of agriculture in Gujarat, improvement
in primary education. I only talk about development.
But Sonia Gandhi called me the "merchant
of death" in her first campaign speech in Gujarat. It is my democratic
right and duty to tell the truth to the people. I reiterate that I will retort
to whatever issues the Congress rakes up.
Q.: You have raised the issue of Sohrabuddin
but you also talk about Gujarati pride...
A.: I have faced a lot of allegations on the Sohrabuddin issue in the past
six months. So far I was quiet. But I have to give an explanation if Soniaben
calls me the "merchant of death". There is no controversy over police
encounters. The controversy is over fake encounters. I have always opposed
and will continue to oppose fake encounters
Q.: But don't you feel you have blurred the
line...
A.: I am surprised that whenever issues of terrorism or anti-social activity
are raised, they are being viewed in the context of minority versus majority.
Isn't this pseudo-secularism. There is need for an objective view on terrorism.
Why should anybody talk about names and backgrounds of the terrorists?
Q.: You are also a Chief Minister whose case
is being looked at very closely by the Supreme Court...Do you think it was
a mistake to raise the issue of Sohrabuddin and justify that encounter?
A.: I request the Supreme Court and all constitutional authorities not to
go by perceptions but to go by facts. I am a law-abiding citizen and I will
ensure that India's Constitution remains the supreme authority.
Q.: Sonia Gandhi's "merchants of death"
statement was a general one. But you have been targeting the Gandhi family
directly.
A.: I have not said a word against Soniaji or against the Gandhi family. She
spoke about me in her speech. So what's wrong if I refer to her by her name.
Isn't that my democratic right? Is that a crime? I will stop if you say.
Q.: In this particular election, you wanted
to go away from the 2002 fever that was there at that time. Do you think you
have been able to attain that.or do you think you have had to go back to replying
to these questions on Hindutva on Sohrabuddin and that is what is creating
the crowds to come. That's what most people think?
A.: I talked about development in 2002 and now also I talk about development.
I ask the voters whether they want development and education for their children.
But do you think I should keep quiet in the middle of an election campaign
if allegations are made against me.
Q.: Do you think your statement on Sohrabuddin
was a mistake or would you repeat it again?
A.: I have said clearly that fake encounters are not acceptable. I have never
justified fake encounters. My Government took a stand against fake encounters
in the Supreme Court. I have taken a clear stand on encounter killings.
Q.: What about the Sohrabuddin case?
A.: The Supreme Court will give its judgment. There is no dispute on encounters.
But fake encounters are not acceptable. I have never justified fake encounters.
