Sunday, May 8 2005 10:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Even as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defends Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the post-Godhra riots situation, its general secretary Pramod Mahajan has described the incidents as the party's "second regret" after the Ayodhya issue and a "black spot" for any civilised society.

"We could not, we regret, expedite the construction of Shriram Temple at Ayodhya, though we did try to find out an amicable solution but in vain.

"Gujarat riots is second regret for us. It proved a dampener to our resolve to turn India into a riot-free nation. The incidents after the Godhra tragedy are a black spot for any civilised society. When this accident occurred, we were in the Government both at the Centre and in Gujarat", he said in an article in the latest issue of party organ 'BJP Today'.

The third matter of concern, Mahajan said, was "the internal situation in the party".

"The shortcomings in the golden history of 25 years are but natural. In retrospect, I also recall some not so good memories", he said.

In an apparent reference to the recent rift within the Sangh Parivar in the wake of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K S Sudarshan's controversial remarks on the BJP leadership, he said, "at time relationships do pass through testing times but the BJP is proud of its association with the RSS through thick and thin".