Kerala: BJP slams Sonia for meeting Bukhari

Kochi, Apr 5: Hitting out at

President

for meeting Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari,

today said a "deliberate" attempt was being made to "communalise" the Lok Sabha polls.

"A deliberate attempt is being made by Sonia Gandhi to communalise the election," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press club here.

The Imam had later appealed to Muslims to support the Congress. On BJP yet to release its manifesto, he said BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has been speaking about his vision of India. "In our manifesto we have taken feedback from the entire country and it would be released on April 7," he said.

Asked about the delay in the release of the manifesto, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman had said in Delhi yesterday that it was purely due to the lack of availability of various leaders, as the party wanted the top leadership to be present during the manifesto release.

Asked about Modi contesting from two seats, including Varanasi, Prasad said Modi can contest from any seat and win hands down. "Varanasi was chosen as part of our strategy. That will energise the cadre in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar," he said. "His candidature has electrified the scenario in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Gujarat model of good governance will be transferred to the rest of the country," he said.

PTI