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Narendra Modi to decide on Gujarat polls: Advani

"The people are still gripped by a sense of insecurity and complete peace and normalcy would said to have been restored in the riot-hit Gujarat when there was a sense of security among all sections of the people," Advani told a press conference in Ahmedabad.

"The state government performed well to contain the violence. If it had fully controlled the situation within two or three days, it would have been to its credit but it didn't happen this way," he said.

"Some vested interests did not want the situation to become normal and I don't want to spell them out [vested interests]. However, after sometime, the situation was brought under control," the deputy prime minister said.

When asked if there was going to be any change in Gujarat both at the government and organisational levels along the lines of the reshuffle at the Centre, Advani said, "Even state government has to be innovative. Anyway, their term is coming to an end and they will have to face the electorate. They have to decide on when to hold the elections and what kind of governance they propose to give to the people."

Talking about the chief minister, he said the central Bharatiya Janata Party and the state unit had chosen Narendra Modi to head the government in Gujarat.

He said, "In my 50 years in public life I have seen that more often than not communal riots are sparked off by trivial issues. They are difficult to control. The violence in parts of Gujarat was caused by the horrendous incident of February 27 at Godhra when Sabarmati Express train [was] attacked by a mob."

On the appointment of K P S Gill as security advisor to the chief minister, he said Modi had discussed with him the plan of bringing the former policeman to Gujarat as he [Gill] was known for his down to earth approach.

"Gill has done well to contain the violence after taking over as security advisor to Modi," Advani said.

PTI

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