Sharad Yadav says projecting Modi as PM candidate caused harm to NDA

New Delhi, May 17 (ANI): Janata Dal- United (JDU) President Sharad Yadav today said that projection of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as future prime ministerial candidate had caused immense harm to the Bharatiya Janata Party led NDA.

"Projecting Modi as a prime ministerial candidate had created confusion among the people's mind. Since the NDA had already declared L K Advani as its Prime Minister candidate," he said.

He said the other factor for the defeat of the NDA might be Varun Gandhi's "hate statement"

"It may be right or wrong or Varun's might have denied but his statement has caused immense damage. His statement was against the country's unity and must have affected the polls," he added.

Asked whether Gujarat riots too had affected the NDA's prospects, Yadav said: "As far as Godhra is concerned, we have contested four elections after that. Whatever had happened in Godhra and after Godhra was inhuman. So, such incidents do have affect. (ANI)