Victim's widow talks to Modi in Gujarati

When Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi picked up the phone on Saturday to speak to Priyanka Srivastava, whose husband died in a blast at the site of Modi's rally on October 27, she spoke to him in Gujarati, sobbing. Avinash Kumar reports.

When Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi picked up the phone on Saturday to speak to Priyanka Srivastava, whose husband died in a blast at the site of Modi's rally on October 27, she spoke to him in Gujarati, sobbing.

Modi, who failed to reach her residence because of bad weather, wanted to know if she was from Gujarat due to the fluency with which she spoke the language. Priyanka replied: "Bapu, I have grown up with Gujarati families in Gomoh, Dhanbad, where my parents live. I even prepare Gujarati dishes. But now main concern is for my daughter."

Modi told her the ‘martyrdom' of Munna, her husband, would not go waste. "You are like my daughter. I assure you I shall take care of all your needs." Priyanka told him her daughter was two-and-a-half years old.

"My party leaders will meet you in a few days. I myself wanted to come, but despite hovering over Gopalganj, the chopper could not land. My party will look after you."

Similarly, he also spoke to the eldest son of Bharat Razak, a blast victim from Begusarai. Modi regretted he could not come, but assured Shobhanand, the eldest son, of visiting the family later.

"My party will adopt your family."