New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) In a fresh salvo against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress Friday said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted him "removed" as the Gujarat chief minister following the 2002 riots.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back saying Congress is praising its leaders as they have forgotten their own leaders.
An article posted on the Congress website praised Vajpayee, saying no leader in BJP "can match the stature" of the founding president.
It also said Modi's failure to act on the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat was the reason for BJP's loss in 2004 Lok Sabha poll.
"NDA was defeated by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance in 2004. Vajpayee was clear what was the reason for the defeat: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's failure to control the communal pogrom in his state in 2002," the article said.
The article quoted Vajpayee in Manali saying: "Some people wanted to remove him. I was of the same opinion." It added that it has been confirmed by now expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh.
A picture of Vajpayee, published with the articles said "think"... "Modi did not follow his rajdharma".
"This raises the question that how can a person whom the tallest leader of the BJP wanted removed as chief minister, be the party's prime ministerial candidate?" the article questioned.
"The BJP might forget Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But every Indian must ponder over the questions he raised on the man who is now the BJP's prime ministerial candidate."
Hitting out at Congress, former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu said: "Congress has forgotten its leaders... now in the morning they remember Advani, (in the) evening Atal ji... tomorrow Sushma (Swaraj) ji and then Modi ji," he said.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the Congress is short of issues.
"This is the same Congress that earlier said Vajpayee was good but BJP was bad, now they're calling BJP good and Modi bad," Naqvi said.
"Congress is short of issues that is why they're forced to praise a BJP leader," he added.
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its second list of candidates today (9 December). A
JD-U calls Bihar legislators' meeting, CM refuses to resign (Lead)
Patna, Feb 5 (IANS) JD-U president Sharad Yadav Thursday called a meeting of party legislators
Shivamogga Violence: BJP MLA said - Congress is supporting anti-nationals, only BJP for Hindutva
The violence that broke out in Karnataka's Shivamogga on August 15 has taken completely political
Swachh Survekshan 2021: Indore becomes India's cleanest city again, know which state is the cleanest
Swachh Survekshan Awards 2021 have been presented to clean cities by President Ram Nath Kovind. I
Smartphone brand Vivo has launched its new flagship smartphone series Vivo X90 Series. This serie
Russia Ukraine War: Zelensky may visit America amid war, hopes to meet Biden
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit Washington. During the visit, he is likely to me
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced amendments to the rules of international cricket
The Supreme Court has now shown strictness regarding the rising cases of Corona and the deteriora
Uber withdraws plea against ban from HC
New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) US-based cab service Uber Tuesday withdrew its plea filed in the Delhi
Massive dome of a mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia collapses after a fire
The massive dome of the Islamic Center mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, collapsed like a pack of car
