Centre making efforts to defame, destabilise Gujarat govt: Modi

Demanding a recall of Gujarat governor, Kamala Beniwal for her alleged actions against the state government, the state BJP took out a massive rally in Ahmedabad under the leadership of Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi on Sunday. Addressing a public gathering of over 100,000 people on the outskirts of the city, Modi accused the rulers in Delhi of making every effort to defame Gujarat and his government.

People from different parts of the state came in large number to attend the rally, which was organised by the party in order to spread awareness among the masses about the "conspiracy to defame Gujarat and its government". Gujarat state BJP circulated an open charge sheet against the state governor depicting her "whimsical actions which goes against the grain of India's federal character of the constitution."

"Since 2009, we have remained quiet against the injustice being done by the state governor's office, just to maintain its dignity and grace. Those sitting in Delhi are making every effort to destabilise our government," said Modi.

Fumed Modi further mentioned, "The Congress has not been able to impress people of Gujarat for the last 20 years and they have remained out of power. So now they are trying to run a parallel government by using the Governor House."

In its open charge sheet circulated to the general public on Sunday, the BJP alleged that the governor "has repeatedly shown her inclination to act against the constitutional provisions hurting the sentiments of the people of Gujarat and those who wish to see a genuine democracy flourish in the state.

"My elected government is opposing the governor with the aim of upholding the Constitution and procedures," Modi said. Hitting out at the governor, party's national vice-president Purushottam Rupala said, "Such large number of people being present at the rally is an evidence in itself that the people of Gujarat are angry against the Centre's injustice towards Gujarat. We from this rally, demand a recall of this governor." Rupala chanted the slogans of "Governor go back". Meanwhile, the chief minster and the party leaders remained silent on the Lokayukta issue as the matter is pending with the Gujarat High Court. The rally witnessed large number of state party leaders, but no national figures was seen on the dais.