Gujarat polls: Irfan Pathan bats for Modi

Kheda, Gujarat, Dec 12 (IBNS): Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan was seen sharing stage with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Gujarat's Kheda district on Wednesday.

Pathan was seen on the stage with Modi, waving his hands to a large gathering that had assembled at the venue.

The Gujarat Chief Minister was campaigning on Wednesday for the second phase of Assembly poll in the state.

Modi´s political rivals have often accused him of being biased against minorities.

The infamous Gujarat riots of 2002 left hundreds of Muslims dead, injured and tortured and came as a blot in the BJP rule in the state.

The riots followed an incident of train burning in Godhra in which Hindus returning from Ayodhya were killed by a Muslim mob.

Around 1,000 supporters of prime accused Maulvi Umarjihad attacked the coach at the Godhra station and torched it killing 59 people and injuring many.

Gujarat will vote in two phases on Dec 13 and 17.

The results will be declared on Dec 20.