TNI Bureau: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi received a huge setback ahead of the assembly elections to be held later this year, as his former Minister Mayaben Kodnani was convicted in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre.
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Mayaben, who was an MLA during the riots, was promoted as a Minister at the later stage. Apart from Kodnani, former VHP leader Babu Bajrangi was also held guilty in this case. In total, 32 people were convicted.
At least 97 people were massacred in Naroda Patiya on February 28, 2002. While 32 people were convicted, 29 others were let off due to lack of evidence. Mayaben’s conviction would put Narendra Modi and the BJP on defensive, while the Congress would get a new lease of life in Gujarat.