Watch your words, Maha tells Modi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil hinted that action would be taken if Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi made any "objectionable" statements during his address at an anti-terrorism rally.

Modi is sheduled to visit Mumbai on Monday, a week after the 7/11 bombings in the city.

He will address a rally of the local Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, party workers and supporters at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Central Mumbai.

"You (opposition) have succeeded in making a political capasts once. You will not be allowed to succeed a second time," Patil said.

"The state government would examine statements of all political leaders in connection with recent incidents, including the blasts, and action would be taken against those found guilty," Patil added.

While Patil was speaking, the opposition Shiv Sena and BJP shouted slogans, demanding the arrest of Samajwadi Party MP Abu Asim Azmi who has opposed Modi's rally.

Modi will also visit blast victims at the Sion Hospital before delivering a speech on how to combat terrorism.

The Bombay Municipal Elections are just six months away and this political rallying is being seen as move to capture the Gujarati vote bank in the city.

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde said, "Modi will come here to address public and partyworkers. Fighting terrorism is not the govt's work alone, even public should fight it."

"At this time, political parties should not get into politics of blasts. I know its election time so some parties will try to gain from it," Nationalist COngress Party (NCP) State President Arun Gujarathi said.

Political analysts have been quick to point out the timing that is bound to work in the BJP's favour, given that a lot of Gujaratis were casualties in Tuesday's serial blasts.

Security has been stepped up in and around the venues of Modi's visit.

(With inputs from PTI)

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