Modi remains blue-eyed boy of BJP

Despite several representations of Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s autocratic style of functioning by ministers and senior party leaders to the party high command, national BJP president K. Jana Krishnamurthi has stood in firm support of Mr. Modi and categorically stated that "any minister who is not comfortable with Mr. Modi should quit his post" Mr. Krishnamurthi was in Rajkot to attend the party’s zonal body meeting on Friday.

To a question regarding the widening rift between minister of state for revenue Haren Pandya and Mr. Modi, Mr. Krishnamurthi asserted, "Whether it is the state government or Centre, ministers should maintain trust in their Chief Minister or Prime Minister. If ministers lack confidence in their leader they have the option to quit the ministry."

It may be recalled that differences between Mr. Pandya and the RSS-turned-chief minister Modi had surfaced after the former refused to vacate his Ellisbridge constituency for Mr. Modi to contest elections, forcing Mr. Modi to fight from Rajkot.

The differences became more pronounced after Mr. Pandya organised a party function at Ellisbridge in which Mr. Modi was conspicuous by his absence.

The BJP president, who talked on issues ranging from current political situation of Gujarat to presidential elections, said top BJP functionaries are making efforts to build a consensus among all political parties for candidature to the post of vice-president.

Feigning ignorance about former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel’s recent statement indicating his capacity to snatch the very seat, which he had left voluntarily, Mr. Krishnamurthi said, "I’m not aware of any such statement by Mr. Patel but I’ll look into it."

The BJP president remained evasive on the issue of date of Assembly polls in the state and reiterated that the BJP is ready for the elections any time and Chief Minister Narendra Modi will take the final decision in this regard.

He added that party’s election committee will decide on how to best use Mr. Keshubhai Patel’s and senior party leaders’ capabilities in the forthcoming elections.

To a question whether all the sitting BJP MLAs will be given the tickets, Mr. Krishnamurthi said the Central election committee will take final decision after considering recommendations of the state election committee.

In a scathing attack on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her recent remarks that "Land of Mahatma Gandhi has turned into land of Godse", Mr. Krishnamurthi said, "Mrs. Gandhi herself is ignorant about the history of Gandhiji or Godse and other Congress leaders should take care that she does not make such statements." "This remark, itself bears a testimony to Mrs. Gandhi’s political immaturity," he quipped.

Republished from The Asian Age