Saturday, April 2 2005 10:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (April 1, 2005) said it was "painful" that the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat had taken place in 2002 despite the presence of party-led Governments in the State as well as at the Centre at that time.

"It is painful and unfortunate that the riots in Gujarat took place despite our Governments being in place in Delhi and Ahmedabad," BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan said.

He said even after 25 years of existence of BJP the party has not been able relate itself with the minority communities to the extent it should have.

It was "regrettable" that indiscipline had also crept in the party as it was moving to establish itself in power.