Uma Bharti defends Narendra Modi in LS

NEW DELHI: Accusing the Congress of trying to instigate a communal divide while pursuing ''vote bank politics'' and ''pseudo-secularism'', Union Minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday strongly defended Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. A vociferous Bharti claimed that the state government had taken prompt steps to restore peace and normalcy in the riot-torn state.

Pitched as the first speaker of the ruling NDA in the debate on the Gujarat situation in the Lok Sabha, Bharti sought to turn the tables on the Congress alleging the party's councilors were involved in the Godhra train carnage. She also said that the councilors were among those who had prevented the fire brigade from reaching the spot in time.

Amid loud protests and rebuttals from Congress members, the fiery BJP Minister said the Congress out of power was like a ''restless soul'' and would go to any extent in its ''greed for office''.