Narendra Modi shouldn't be blamed for 2002 riots in Gujarat: Australian PM Tony Abbott

NEW DELHI: Australian PM Tony Abbott has said Modi as Gujarat CM should not be blamed for the riots in the state as he was just a “presiding officer” who has been cleared in “endless inquiries”.

“There has been endless inquiries into this and Mr Modi has always been cleared. That certainly is good enough for me,” Abbott said in an interview to a TV channel. Abbott said he accepted that sometimes “we” (leaders) are presiding when terrible things happen.

“I don’t believe the presiding officer should be blamed just because something terrible happens... over which he is presiding,” he said. “He struck out some good friendships in Australia and he has quite a cheer squad in Australia.

There was tremendous enthusiasm for him and for the change of government among the half-a-million strong Indian community,” he said, adding that even Australian politicians were “convinced” that Modi was going to bring about a “real fresh breath of air” to the government and the economy of India.