New Delhi: With Sangh Parivar hawks unleashing an aggressive face of Hindutva, the BJP’s development plank has taken a hit. This is worrying the BJP, particularly PM candidate Narendra Modi, who is desperately trying to keep away from Hindutva politics.
Sensing that hate speeches by the VHP’s Pravin Togadia and BJP leader Giriraj Singh, contesting from Nawada in Bihar, could adversely hit the party’s prospects, Mr Modi and the party tried on Tuesday to distance themselves. But while Mr Modi and the BJP asked these leaders to refrain from such statements, they did not condemn the remarks.
Mr Modi, in an interview to a TV channel, also said he would reach out to Muslim “brothers” like other citizens, and clarified that contentious issues like Ram Mandir and uniform civil code will be addressed with the framework of the Constitution. He said he “sees all Indians as one” and it is his “responsibility” to reach out to all sections of society, including Muslims.
Mr Modi, expressing disapproval of “petty statements” by saffron leaders, tweeted on Tuesday: “Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP’s well-wishers are deviating the campaign from issues of development and good governance... I disapprove (of) such irresponsible statements, and appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so.”
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley also appealed for restraint.
