It is not new

THE following are quotations from Narendra Modis campaign speeches in 2002, which make it clear that he has not changed much in style and substance:

It is not an election for choosing MLAs or a Chief Minister. It is an election related to religion.

This is a fight which will decide who the protector of Hindus is . When we talk of protecting Hindus, theres objection from certain quarters who talk of Hindu militancy. Hindus can never be militants. And militants cannot be Hindus. If some day a group of Hindus becomes militants, they will rule the world and Pakistan will be wiped out.

We brought Narmada waters during Shravan but the Congress(I) would have wanted it for Ramzan.

I would like to tell the Muslims of Signal Falia [the neighbourhood in Godhra where a mob assembled to attack the Sabarmati Express in February 2002] specifically that instead of sheltering the anti-social elements responsible for the Godhra carnage they should have isolated them at that time. But they failed to do so and today they hang their heads down in shame.

Congress(I) has always been supporting criminals and anti-social elements. Even when the Muslims of Godhra killed a Sindhi family, they did not condemn it.

Musharraf should remember that if he tries to create any problem for the people of Gujarat, then the Hindus will become terrorists and remove Pakistan from the world map.

I have been to Godhra. I have seen the bodies, the shrunken, charred, shrivelled bodies of the women and children and boys. I cannot forget Godhra. For me, Godhra is not an election issue. It is an issue that concerns humanity. I swear to you that the criminals of Godhra will not go unpunished. How the women, children and men must have shrieked when they were being burnt. Can man be so evil? And I am asked to forget Godhra. How can I?

This is the deciding moment. If you want to save the state from the clutches of fundamentalists and jehadis you must all vote. If you want to sleep well till 2007, wake up on December 12 and vote. Come out in large numbers and kick the jehadis and the fundamentalists out. I assure you that if you keep awake for one day on Thursday I will keep awake for you for five years.