Gogoi accuses PM Modi of conniving with extremist forces

New Delhi, Oct 30: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of conniving with extremist forces to create an atmosphere of intolerance in the country and said it was RSS which was wielding the real power in the NDA government.

"The Prime Minister is either weak or connived with extremist forces," he said at a press conference replying to a question on some writers, scientists and artists returning awards alleging growing intolerance in the country.

Gogoi, a Congress man, said the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had asked Modi to perform his 'Raj Dharma' during the 2002 Gujarat riots and he (Gogoi) doubts whether he (Modi) was doing the same now.

"I doubt whether he is following 'Raj Dharma' now," he said.

The Chief Minister alleged that RSS is wielding the real power in the Modi government and others were mere figurehead.

"RSS is the real boss. It is the extra constitutional authority," he said.

Referring to President Pranab Mukherjee's statement on growing intolerance, Gogoi said it was a true example that the executive has failed in its duty and for which the President had to caution twice.

"In my long political career, I have never seen such resentment of writers, intellectuals," he said.

Gogoi also criticised Modi for not making any reference to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the India Africa Forum Summit saying even the foreign leaders had repeatedly paid glowing tributes to Nehru and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

"Situation in the country is such that even the name of Jawahar jacket has changed to Modi jacket," he said.

PTI