Calculated words and cold shoulders at BJP manifesto release


Posted on 7th Apr 2014 08:28 pm by admin

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) A galaxy of BJP bigwigs came together to release its much delayed manifesto Monday, but an iciness between prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and manifesto committee chief Murli Manohar Joshi was evident.

The apparent differences that caused delay in release the of the manifesto - happening on the first day of Lok Sabha poll - were sought to be glossed over with presentation of a united face in public and before cameras.

Party insiders said the delay in the manifesto release was due to "differences between Modi and Joshi". Modi wanted some changes in the document, which Joshi was not happy with, those privy to inner-party affairs said on condition of anonymity.

The BJP officially dubbed the delay as a "logistic issue", saying leaders were busy campaigning.

Modi, who sat at the centre of the stage, was flanked on either side by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh and Joshi. While he engaged in conversation with Rajnath Singh several times, no words were exchanged with Joshi. Neither did Modi try and supplement whatever Joshi was saying.

Both Rajnath Singh and Modi appeared uninterested and were seen chatting and flipping pages of the manifesto booklet as Joshi made his presentation on the key promises and answered most of journalists' queries.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj and veteran leader L.K. Advani were also seen sitting quietly on the flanks.

However, when it came to words, the leaders said all the right things.

Joshi referred to Modi as the "future prime minister", Advani repeated time and again that he was "very happy" with these elections, while Modi chose to focus on the manifesto alone.

While the tension between leaders prevailed, it was decided by the party to give prominence to Joshi, in an apparent attempt to pacify the elder who felt sidelined by Modi. Joshi took the few questions asked by journalists, and stayed back after the official release function was over to answer more.

The only time when the BJP prime ministerial candidate was seen exchanging a word with Joshi was a brief moment before leaving the stage, an apparent good bye.

The BJP, anticipating a large crowd, organised the release not at its national headquarters, but in the premises of the adjoining 9, Ashoka Road, official bungalow of senor leader Arun Jaitley, who was out campaigning in Amritsar where he filed his nomination papers. Also missing were former party presidents Nitin Gadkari and M Venkaiah Naidu.

Modi, whose voice was already hoarse addressing election rallies, left soon after the event was over for his public meetings scheduled for the day.

228 Like 16 Dislike
Previous news Next news
Other news

Farmers Protest: Increased strictness on these borders going from Delhi to UP and Haryana, may have to face long jams; Know traffic advisory

UP and Haryana police are on alert regarding farmers' march to Delhi. Security arrangements are s

Rajasthan Budget: Women will be given sanitary napkins for free, the agricultural budget will be different from next year; Rural bus service will start again with new vehicles

Chief Minister Gehlot is presenting the budget of 2021-22 of Rajasthan. His budget speech so far

Weather Update: Snowfall in hilly areas and alert regarding rain in Kerala-Tamil Nadu; Know how the condition of other states will be

As October is about to pass, changes are also being seen in the weather. After snowfall in the hi

Ruckus over the distribution of free Bibles at Delhi World Book Fair: Slogans raised in protest, police said – no violence took place at the stall

There was an uproar over the distribution of free Bibles at the ongoing World Book Fair at Pragat

Modi was prompt in condemning terror incident: Tunisian envoy

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The terror attack in Tunisia that left 19 people dead is a move to &

The Foreign Minister of Belarus arrives in India on a two-day visit, and will meet S Jaishankar this evening

Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei arrived in Delhi on Wednesday for his two-day visit to In

KVS Admissions 2022: Children who have lost their parents in the corona epidemic will get admission to KVS under PM Care Scheme

Children who have lost their parents in the Corona epidemic will be admitted to Kendriya Vidyalay

Russia-Ukraine War Updates: Russia destroys 2 weapons depots near Kyiv; Ukraine claims 19,500 Russian soldiers killed in the war

The Russia-Ukraine war is going to complete 50 days soon. Meanwhile, Russia has destroyed two arm

DigiYatra: Now your face is the 'boarding pass' at the airport, Scindia launches 'DigiYatra' facility

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the Digiyatra facility on Thursday. Under t

Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde dies following car crash
New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) The week-old Narendra Modi government was dealt a blow Tuesday when Gopin

Sign up to write
Sign up now if you have flare of writing..
Login   |   Register
Follow Us
Indyaspeak @ Facebook Indyaspeak @ Twitter Indyaspeak @ Pinterest RSS



Play Free Quiz and Win Cash