Gujarat Riot Trials Boost Congress
1 May 09 | FT
India’s ruling Congress party received an election-time boost on Friday in its battle with the opposition Bharatiya Janata party when India’s supreme court ordered five special courts to fast-track trials related to deadly communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.
During India’s month-long parliamentary election, the Congress party has repeatedly sought to embarrass L. K. Advani and Narendra Modi, the BJP leaders, for their alleged role in stirring communal tensions in one of the world’s most diverse nations.
The trials will focus on finding those responsible for the slaughter of 2,000 Muslims in the riots. Mr Modi’s own role in connection to the riots is under investigation but he has not been charged with involvement. He denies any responsibility for the riots. Mr Modi claims the focus on the Gujarat riots is a Congress conspiracy to damage his election appeal. >>>
