NEW DELHI, July 24: Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna provoked angry scenes in parliament on Wednesday when he said the situation in riot-torn Gujarat state was conducive for fresh elections.

“I can only say that the government of India is committed to holding free and fair elections in which everyone participates,” Advani told irate opposition members in the upper house of parliament during a debate.

He also rejected opposition demands for the imposition of federal rule in Gujarat before elections are held there.

In a heated encounter, opposition members launched a scathing attack on the ruling Hindu nationalists in New Delhi and Gujarat for “playing politics with riot victims”. More than 1,000 people have died in Gujarat since February 27, most of them Muslims, in riots.

The opposition parties also demanded the removal of state Chief Minister Narendra Modi for “failing” to stop bloody sectarian riots and instead dissolving his government last week to pave the way for fresh elections.

Intermittent violence in the state still continues, although only isolated incidents have occurred in the past month. The Hindu nationalist BJP party, which rules the state government, was accused by opposition parties of complicity in the rioting.

Advani, however, told the agitated members that the situation in the state was now normal and conducive to holding elections.

“Today there is no violence in the state,” Advani said, despite repeated and loud interruptions by the opposition benches who rebutted his every claim.

“If the question is whether elections under the present chief minister will be proper, I will say yes, they will be proper,” he added amid an uproar and thumping of desks by members of the treasury benches while the opposition got to its feet.

“Are you trying to tell us that the situation in the state is such that the minorities (Muslims) feel safe and secure to vote?” asked Manmohan Singh, leader of the main opposition Congress party.—AFP