BJP leaders attack Arun Shourie over Modi criticism

New Delhi, May 2: BJP on Saturday, May 2 came out strongly in defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Arun Shourie's attack on his government and said he was a "fair weather friend" and could be having a "grouse" over not getting positions.

The party and its leaders said the former Union Minister was well off-the-mark in his criticism of the government on economic policies, social tensions and relations with opposition parties in a television interview, calling it a "bit unkind" to Modi.

[Modi govt's economic policy "directionless", minorities anxious: Arun Shourie]

Power Minister Piyush Goyal was strong in his criticism of Shourie saying "If some individuals probably have some grouse, they don't get some positions, and want to make issues out of non issues, I think they are best to left to judge whether they are saying the right thing.

"This government has shown that with sincerity of purpose and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is on the right path to growth," he said.

Goyal said it was very surprising that Shourie was making statements without any basis on the coal auctions that the total auction money of Rs.1.90 lakh crore would be realised from 29 mines through their life.

BJP should introspect: AAP

Aam Aadmi Party asked BJP to "introspect" over Arun Shourie's criticism that Narendra Modi government's economic policies were "directionless" and that it has failed to rein in "anxiety" among minorities.

"This is for sure that this is a government of headlines. And Shourie was right in saying that they (aforementioned trio of Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley) have frightened the workers by running the show," AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said.

Hailing Shourie as one of the "pioneers" of the country's economic liberalisation, he said "BJP should take note of his comments and introspect".

PTI