JD(U) mocks VHP on backing Modi, says sadhus can't take call

New Delhi, Feb 3: The Janata Dal (U) national spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari on Saturday slammed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) over backing

as the prime ministerial candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (

) for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Tiwari said political parties and not sadhus would decide the PM candidate of the BJP-led alliance. "Where are you taking the politics of this country?," asked Tiwari in Patna.

He said the prime ministerial candidate should be from the BJP, the largest partner of the alliance, and the final call would be taken following consultations within the coalition. He also took a dig at the media, asking why it was getting restless on the issue. He said it was their job to decide the PM candidate.

The JD(U) has been objecting to Narendra Modi's candidature, saying it was in favour of a 'secular face'. Another ally, Shiv Sena is in favour of projecting senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who was backed by the party's late founder Bal Thackeray last year. The Shiromani Akali Dal, on the other hand, has backed Modi.

The Gujarat CM, who won his third consecutive mandate last year, has been backed by BJP president Rajnath Singh, who recently took over from Nitin Gadkari, and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha. However, the party has more contenders and is cautious on the issue.

OneIndia News