Five Congress MPs from Gujarat have alleged that their phones were being tapped at the behest of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and demanded a Central bureau of Investigation inquiry into the matter.

"There is a culture of fear and terror unleashed by chief minister misusing the official machinery to quell opposition of any kind by anyone on any issue," the MPs, including Viraji Thummar and Pravin Rashtrapal, said in the letter to Home Minister Shivraj Patil, copies of which were sent to the Election Commission and the CBI.

Four BJP MLAs had approached Governor Navalkishore Sharma last week with a complaint that their phones were being tapped at the behest of Modi.

"There is an apprehension that such tactics could also be used in Presidential election and also in subsequent assembly election in Gujarat," the MPs said.