Mumbai, Oct 26 (UNI) The Congress and the NCP, who are trying to make a dent in Narendra Modi's bastion in Gujarat in the forthcoming assembly elections, today demanded action against the perpetrators of the 2002 Godhra riots in the backdrop of the Tehelka expose.

Adressing reporters here, NCP General Secretary D P Tripathi said for the first time the faces of the prepetrators of the ghastly riots have been seen on camera admitting their role in the gruesome incident. ''A point has been proved that the 2002 riots were different in nature and character and the state power encouraged, promoted and defended the rioteers who indulged in brazen killing of muslims, '' he said.

He did not agree that Narendra Modi stood to benefit due to the expose as a polarised society worked in his favour. ''Nobody will support the gruesome communal carnage,''he felt.

Maharashtra Congress spokesman Hussain Dalwai alleged that it was possible that the BJP leadership was aware of the conspiracy of genocide in Gujarat. ''The BJP leadership should remove Modi from his post and a narco test should be conducted on the Chief MInister to know the truth of the riots. He is not a 'vikas purush' but a 'vinash purush',''he aleged.

Mr Dalwai demanded the arrest of all those shown on the expose and whose names have cropped up on the tape.

UNI