Friday, August 12 2005 16:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's apology to the nation for the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) today (Aug 12, 2005) said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should apply the same yardstick and remove Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the Godhra carnage.

"The Prime Minister's apology to the nation should be backed by time-bound action plan but BJP should also apply the same yardstick for Gujarat riots", CPM politburo member Brinda Karat told reporters in Hyderabad today.

The issue becomes more genuine as the adjournment motion, to discuss modification of the Action Taken Report of Nanavati Commission, was moved by the Leader of Opposition and party Chief L K Advani himself, Brinda said and demanded sacking of Modi, based on Supreme Court strictures against his Government on Godhra carnage.

Describing the ATR as a diluted document, Brinda, who is here to participate in Women's programme, said, criminal prosecution of those indicted by the Commission, reopening of 'untraced' cases, action against responsible police officers, whether in service or not and employment to kids of 1984 riot victims are the party's main demands.

Brushing aside the allegation that there was a delay in CPM's reaction on the issue, Brinda, who was elected to Rajya Sabha recently, said they had to carefully study the document before coming out with any remarks.

"This took some time, but our reaction is quick and fast", she said.