His comments on the evidence based on the statement of accused Ajmal Kasab has given Pakistan a point to counter India’s stand on the issue, said many.

“The remarks are unwanted, unwarranted and uncalled for,” said former chief minister and BJP leader Suresh Mehta, who believed that “one did not expect such a statement from a chief minister”.

“The chief minister’s chair carries certain responsibilities: the first and foremost being interest of the country,” said Mehta, a known detractor of Modi. “A chief minister should not indulge in rhetoric while forgetting discretion,” he added.

Describing his remarks as “loose talk and cheap rhetoric”, Congress spokesperson Arjun Modhvadia demanded a clarification from the national BJP leadership. “I want the national BJP leadership to clarify its position on the remarks made by Modi and the subsequent remarks made by the Pakistan PM,” he said, adding that the “irresponsible and damaging statements and remarks” would help Islamabad, which is being cornered internationally.

“Modi’s penchant for publicity will cost the country heavily, as he has no control over his language and rhetoric,” Modhvadia said. Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Shaktisinh Gohil, also criticised Modi, saying, “Please, stop embarrassing India with your anti-India rhetoric aimed at gaining cheap publicity.” Former BJP leader and president of Maha Gujarat Janta Party Gordhan Zadaphia also found the CM’s remarks “damaging”.

Modi had recently said that even in India a mere statement is not regarded as evidence under the existing laws. “What if Pakistan and the US both ask India if our law has similar provision which accepts Kasab’s statement as evidence? What can be more unfortunate?” he had said.

Following his statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sought to take advantage by claiming that Modi “agreed” with Pakistan’s stance on the issue. “I want to set the record straight. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said that mere information cannot be evidence. He agreed with my stand that information is not evidence,” Gilani said yesterday.