New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) In an embarrassment to the BJP, whistleblower website WikiLeaks has denied it endorsed the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as "incorruptible", and posted a cable quoting Congress workers as praising him.
WikiLeaks said in a tweet that its founder Julian Assange "has never spoken about Modi in any manner whatsoever. US docs we published say both good and bad things about Modi".
"No WikiLeaks document says Modi is 'incorruptible', rather he is popular because 'viewed' as 'incorruptible'," the website said.
It posted a Nov 27, 2006 cable by US Consul General in Mumbai Michael S. Owen quoting Rajkot Congress party leader Manoharsinh Jadeja as saying that Modi was completely incorruptible.
The cable quoted Jadeja as saying "Modi's accomplishments are undeniable", and that he is "viewed as someone who is completely incorruptible and can deliver the goods".
In another US cable, posted online by WikiLeaks, the consul general quotes former Congress party MP and former minister Digvijay Sinhji of the erstwhile princely state of Wankaner in Saurashtra as saying that Modi "lacks the polish and refinement" to become a national leader.
However, Sinhji says a reason "why Modi could face challenges in becoming a national leader: Modi's reputation for being completely incorruptible is accurate, and if he were to become a national leader he would crack down on corruption throughout the BJP."
In his comment at the end of the cable, Owen said: "We believe Sinhji's comments on Modi are indeed accurate: ironically the man most hold accountable for the communal violence of 2002 may now be the most ardent defender of communal harmony, at least on the surface."
After the cable was posted online by WikiLeaks, Modi in 2011 expressed happiness about the revelations.
On his website, Modi said March 22, 2011: "WikiLeaks cables are accurate. I am glad to learn that America admits Modi is incorruptible. He informed media that the cable presents an honest account of his talk on human rights issue with the American official."
The whistleblower website was forced to issue a clarification after Modi fans posted online a photo of Assange with the blurb "America fears Modi because they know that he is incorruptible" with the whistleblower's sign.
The post was re-tweeted by one of BJP's communication cell officials of Maharashtra Jan 25 this year.
Reacting to the controversy, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: "The nation does not need a certificate from Julian Assange or WikiLeaks about Modi, and neither does Modi to win the elections. What the people want is just good governance."
"We have not asked for their certificate nor do they need to give us any. People have made it clear that they want Modi to win as they want good and stable governance which can take the country on the path of progress," he said.
Modi says 'Touched' by Obama gifting Vivekananda book
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said he was "touched" when US President Barack Obama gifted him a book on Swami Vivekananda during his visit to the White House last
Every school to have physical training teacher: Himachal CM
Dharamsala, Feb 12 (IANS) The state government would ensure that every government school have at least one teacher each for physical training and music, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra
Manipur Violence: Curfew relaxation extended in Imphal districts, security forces conduct search operation
Manipur Violence: Given the improvement in the law and order situation, the Manipur government has extended the relaxation of the curfew by one hour in Imphal East and West districts. Its information
BJP sews up six-party alliance in Tamil Nadu, hopes for 25 seats (Lead)
Chennai, March 20 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hopes to win 25 seats in Tamil Nadu, said BJP president Rajnath Singh here Thursday as he announced the six-party alliance to
IMC 2023: PM Modi inaugurates India Mobile Congress, participants from 22 countries are participating
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Asia's largest technology platform, India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The 7th edition of this
Saiyaara Worldwide Collection: 'Saiyaara' took a big leap on Sunday, shaking the box office with its earnings worldwide
This year, many star kids made their debut on the big screen, but their films neither earned money nor got praise; they only got criticism. But Mohit Suri directed Saiyyara, which surprised everyone.
Nokia T20 tablet launched with 8,200mAh battery can expand storage up to 512GB
Nokia has launched its new T20 Tablet. This tab can be launched in India in the coming days. However, the company has not yet clarified how long this tab will enter India. It has a battery of
Women's team won ODI series in England after 23 years: Beat the British by 88 runs, Captain Harmanpreet scored 143 runs in 111 balls
Indian women's cricket team won the second match against England in Canterbury by 88 runs. With this, the Indian team has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Harmanpreet Singh's
Show proof of my resignation: Yadav
New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) AAP leader Yogendra Yadav on Thursday dared his colleagues to give proof of his resignation from the party's national executive along with fellow leader Prashant
IPL 2024: 'Watch again and again, watch a thousand times...', video of Heinrich Klaasen stumping Shikhar Dhawan goes viral
Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen stumped Shikhar Dhawan off Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 23rd match of IPL 2024 on Tuesday, the video of which has gone viral. This incident took place
