Tuesday, April 18 2006 11:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As the Supreme Court made its stand clear on the Sardar Sarovar project issue, Congress and BJP today traded charges and two key persona at opposite ends on the issue NBA leader Medha Patkar and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi broke their hunger strike with Modi seeking to the turn the row into an opportunity.

BJP used the occasion to attack Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz accusing him of making 'irresponsible' comments and statements on the sensitive issue instead of exercising restraint.

Congress, on the other hand, targeted Modi for playing 'petty politics' with an eye on Gujarat assembly elections by resorting to hunger strike despite categorical statement from the Centre that work on the project would not stop.

"It is all histrionics, drama and the political activities are with an eye on the forthcoming Gujarat elections. It is petty politics", Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters when asked to react to the protest action by the senior BJP leader.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Soz of keeping a 'closed mind' while leading a three-member ministerial team to the site of relief and rehabilitation work while another spokesman Prakash Javadekar welcomed the apex court's go-ahead to the construction of the dam.

Congress sources admitted certain statements by Soz were cleverly exploited by Modi seeking to garner political advantage.