Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time raised the Godhra issue during the Lok Sabha election campaign at a rally in Bihar on Saturday.
Targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Mr. Modi blamed him for protecting those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in 2002.
Without mentioning the name of Mr. Prasad who was part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Mr. Modi said, “He had tried to shield those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning in which more than 60 kar sevaks were burnt alive. Was it not during the reign of Sonia [Gandhi] madam?” Mr. Modi was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.