Responding to the sharpest ever attack on its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the BJP on Friday dubbed his comments as "unfortunate and condemnable".
BJP President Rajnath Singh said: “It is unfortunate and condemnable that in spite of getting clean chit from the court and SIT, Mr. Modi has been targeted by the PM.”
He said that Dr. Manmohan Singh’s unwillingness to lead the Congress for a third term in view of the next general election approaching fast was an indication that the Prime Minister is aware of the electoral results that await the coalition.
The BJP chief said it was "laughable" to make statements against Mr. Modi, since as the Chief Minister of Gujarat he has created a model state in the country, known for its development.
Mr. Rajnath Singh said the Prime Minister has willy-nilly accepted his government's failure to control inflation and corruption and has been unable to create jobs.
Separately, at a crowded press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely said the Prime Minister himself admitted that despite the allegations of corruption against UPA I, the Congress returned to power in the 2009 elections, and which showed that it was an electoral sanction for the Congress-led coalition.
“The benefit of the Prime Minister’s own logic should be extended to Mr. Modi as he has won elections in Gujarat thrice and has been absolved of all charges after a prolonged scrutiny. The Prime Minister’s comments against Mr. Modi do not add to the dignity of his office,” he said.
