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

Russia tortured Ukrainian children with hunger and thirst: 10 Russian torture chambers found in Kherson; Ukraine's allegation - painful torture was given to children

Many torture chambers have been found in the territory of Ukraine freed from the occupation of Ru

LPG Price Hike: 'Inflation' havoc continues, ₹ 594 cylinder received on December 1, ₹ 819 on March 1

New Delhi: People suffering from inflation have got another blow today. This time, inflation has

China was, is, and will be our most trusted friend, said Pak leader after meeting Chinese Foreign Minister

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a meeting with the Chinese State Councilor

Gujarat: PM Modi inaugurates Defense Expo, said - picture of our resolve for Amritkal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Defense Expo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on Wednesd

Inflation hit: Petrol is available in New York at around half the cost of Mumbai, know how much is the price

Petrol prices have put people at ease. The higher the use of petrol and diesel in the country, th

Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM reached the War Memorial in Dras and paid tribute to the soldiers martyred in the Kargil war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War at the Kargil War Memor

Future belongs to Digital India, says Jaitley

New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley Monday said the futur

India's defeat changed the equation: Team India may be out if it loses to Bangladesh

Team India lost to South Africa by 5 wickets in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. After this result, t

Nayanthara: The name of Nayanthara's new film is out, the teaser shows a powerful action-packed style

Nayanthara is in the news these days for her documentary Nayanthara Beyond the Fairytale. She is

Russia Ukraine War: Indians stranded in Ukraine will be airlifted via Romania, 2 Air India planes will leave tomorrow!

Russia Ukraine Conflict: There is good news for thousands of Indians trapped in Ukraine due to th

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