Centre ponders steps to check Modi government

The United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre is seriously contemplating measures designed to bridle the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat, a union minister said yesterday.

This follows the exposes by additional DGP R.B. Sreekumar as well as the attack on Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

"An exercise is underway to look at the options open before the Centre against a chief minister who walks and talks differently," Shankersinh Vaghela, Union Textiles Minister said.

The minister who was talking to newsmen after an impressive regional rally of his uniformed outfit, Shakti Dal designed as a counterweight to the VHP-Bajrang Dal, said that the Centre has taken a very serious view of the pre-planned attack on Lalu in Vadodara on April 21 as well as the revelations by a top police officer of the state.

"Video films of the attack have clearly shown up those involved. All of us in Gujarat can identify the likes of Nalin Bhatt and many others who figure in it. Shakti Dal volunteers were present and saw things for themselves," he added.

Vaghela said that legal opinion was being sought because the Modi government would not permit a CBI enquiry as it would stand exposed in the case."