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''.

Narendra Modi begins third innings as Gujarat CM

Narendra Modi takes oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat at Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)AHMEDABAD: Narendra Modi was on Tuesday sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for a third term amidst much fanfare in the presence of BJP's pantheon but with virtually none from NDA constituents.

Modi (57), who powered his party single-handedly to a fourth straight time in office in Hindutva's 'laboratory', was sworn in by Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma at a ceremony in the Sardar Patel stadium attended by a lakh of BJP supporters and workers.

BJP's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani, party president Rajnath Singh, senior leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi, its chief ministers from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh and former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

NDA convenor George Fernandes and Manohar Joshi, representing BJP's oldest saffron ally Shiv Sena attended the function on a day former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee celebrated his 84th birthday in Delhi. However, none of the prominent faces from the other allies like the JD(U), Akali Dal or Biju Janata Dal were present.

Modi, attired in a brown kurta and a saffron shawl, took the oath in Gujarati and in the name of God. He was the only one to take the oath. He was the only one to take the oath and is expected to induct other ministers later.

Immediately after taking the oath, Modi shook hands with the Governor and walked to the leaders on the dais to receive their congratulations.

Accompanied by Advani and Rajnath Singh, he did a victory lap of the stadium in an open jeep with Advani and Rajnath Singh and a couple of state BJP leaders including party unit chief Purushotam Rupala.

The throng of party workers carrying BJP flags and shouting slogans cheered the leaders as fireworks were on display.

Modi, who has already earned the distinction of being the longest serving Chief Minister of the prosperous western state, faced the first polls in 2002 just one year after taking over the helm of affairs from Keshubhai Patel in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in the state in early 2001.

Earlier, before taking the oath, Modi hugged BJP president Rajnath Singh and exchanged pleasantries with all the guests present on the dais. He also took blessings of the sadhus of various sects who were invited for the event.

The family members of the Chief Minister Narendra Modi were among those present during the swearing-in ceremony.

Senior leaders M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, Maharashtra leader Gopinath Munde besides Advani's daughter Pratibha and Jaya Jaitley were present on the dais.

Even US knows I'm incorruptible: Narendra Modi on WikiLeaks

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GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday used the latest WikiLeaks disclosures to pat himself on the back, saying "Now even the US knows that I am incorruptible".

Reacting to the recent WikiLeaks disclosures in which a top US consular official described him as a "non-corrupt and efficient administrator", Modi told reporters on the sidelines of an event this proved his credentials.

"WikiLeaks shows two faces - one that of the government of the other of progressive Gujarat," the chief minister said.

In the latest leaked diplomatic cables accessed by The Hindu newspaper, Michael S. Owen, the US consul general in 2006, wrote to the that they might have to reassess the Gujarat chief minister, whose visa they revoked due to his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Owen also said that Modi could emerge as the Bharatiya Janata Party's next national leader.

"Modi has successfully branded himself as a non-corrupt, effective administrator, as a facilitator of business in a state with a deep commercial culture, and as a no-nonsense, law-and-order politician who looks after the interests of the Hindu majority.

"Modi's backers in the BJP now hope to convince the party leadership that he can use these positive traits to attract voters throughout India. Some BJP leaders believe, or hope, that voters will forget or forgive Modi's role in the 2002 bloodshed, once they learn to appreciate his other qualities," Owen wrote in his assessment.

Modi said he met Owen in they discussed Gujarat.

Recalling his meeting with Owen, Modi said: "I looked into his eyes and said, 'do not preach... I am a son of India, I know what human rights violations you have done'. Good that the dialogue has been faithfully reproduced."

The Gujarat chief minister also said he that "government of India should address the issue of American interference" in Indian affairs.