Modi targets colonial temperament of Election Commission (I.view of Modi)

A victorious and confident Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the Election Commission, accusing it of being under the influence of a colonial temperament.

Ahmedabad, Dec 23 : A victorious and confident Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hit out at the Election Commission, accusing it of being under the influence of a colonial temperament.

Speaking to ANI, just after the final results of the Gujarat polls were out in which his party, the BJP, nearly bagged two-third of the total 182-assembly seats, Modi said: "The separate decisions issued by the Election Commission for sons of India (like me and Congress leader Digivijay Singh) and foreign daughter (Congress President Sonia Gandhi) shows the influence of the colonial temperament."

Modi was replying to a question on the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami's remark that there was a need to make a 'distinction' between Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi in the observations on their violation of code of conduct.

"We felt there should be a difference. Can't go into the details of the discussions, but we felt there was a need for a slight distinction," Gopalaswami had told a private TV news channel, earlier in the day.

However, Gopalaswami declined to elaborate on the reasons for doing so.

The three-member Commission on Saturday 'unanimously' decided to convey its displeasure to Modi and "advised you (him) to be more cautious in future so that the salutary provisions of model code of conduct are adhered to and duly observed in letter and spirit."

In the case of Sonia Gandhi, the Commission had said: "The Commission conveys its displeasure and expects that in future the salutary provisions of model code of conduct will be adhered to and duly observed in its letter and spirit."

Commenting on the his party's stupendous victory, Modi said, "The BJP is winning in Gujarat, since 1990. The faith that the people of Gujarat has shown in the BJP is very precious to us."

He also equated his party's consistent victory in the State polls and equated with the Left parties' dominance in West Bengal.

"After West Bengal, it's happening in Gujarat," he quipped, as he is set to become the Chief Minister of the State for the third consecutive time.

The BJP registered a thumping victory by winning in 117 seats, ten less from its 2002 figure.

The Congress on the other hand managed to win 59 assembly seats.

Modi registered a thumping victory in the Maninagar Assembly constituency by defeating Congress' candidate and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dinsha Patel by 87, 000 votes.

Expressing his gratitude to the people of Gujarat for voting him back to power, Modi said that the people of state have rejected the negative forces and anti-Gujarat elements.

The people of Gujarat have voted for development and good governance of "my government," Modi said.

The BJP has been in power in the State for over a decade.

ANI