Modi slams critics, says not avoiding SIT

new Delhi/Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday broke his silence on being issued summons by a Special Investigation Team on the 2002 Gujarat riots. Modi claimed that the summon date of March 21 was a media concoction.

Modi, coming into his usual aggressive self, hit out at all those accusing him of disrespecting law by not appearing before the SIT on March 21.

He again projected himself as a victim of conspiracy.

In this open letter, interestingly addressed to all citizens of the country, Modi said: "It's a matter of great concern and needs investigations as to why and who started spreading lies that Modi had been summoned by the SIT on the 21st (March 21). SIT has not fixed 21st of March, 2010 for my appearance, I shall respond to the SIT fully respecting the law and keeping in mind the dignity of a body appointed by the Supreme Court."

"I want to tell people that spreading falsehood has only one purpose and that is to instigate people," Modi further said in the letter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party backed Modi.

"There is a conspiracy against Narendra Modi and he is constitutional head. How can he escape and how can he be running away from facing the law. He will never do that," said BJP Spokesperson Tarun Vijay

The letter was prepared after senior BJP leader and Modi's close friend Arun Jaitley flew down to Gandhinagar to work out a legal strategy for Modi.

But will Modi now appear before the SIT ?

"The body which is appointed by the Supreme Court as and when they fix up the time, he will certainly show full respect to it," said Jaitley.

Modi is already working on a legal strategy.

CNN-IBN learns that he is waiting for the outcome of an application moved by another Godhra riots accused challenging the validity of the Supreme Court order under which the SIT issued summons. The application is likely to come up on April 5 in the Supreme Court.

There is more legal trouble for Modi with the Gujarat High court asking the Nanawati-Mehta Commission looking into the post-Godhra riots of 2002 whether their separate decision of not summoning Modi was tentative or a final one.

So in the end his decision of appearing or not appearing before the SIT will not just be based on legal technicalities but on political compulsions as well.

(With inputs from Meghdoot Sharon)

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