BJP’s ally Shiv Sena on Wednesday caused what could be a huge embarrassment by invoking Godhra while responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first ever comments on Dadri lynching and Ghulam Ali episode.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the party’s spokesperson, Sanjay Raut said, ” If our Prime Minister has made such a statement, it’s really unfortunate. Jis Narendra Modi ji ki pehchaan vishwa mein Godhra ki wajah se hui thi, aur usi wajah se hum Modi ji ko aadar bhi karte hain, Usi Modi ji ne agar Ghulam Ali aur Kasuri ji ke incident ko unfortunate kaha hai to hum sabke liye ye baat unfortunate hai (Narendra Modi’s identity world over is because of Godhra and we also respect him because of that. The same Modiji has now called the incidents involving Ghulam Ali and Kasuri ji unfortunate. This is unfortunate for all of us.)”
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Aam Aadmi Party’s Asuthosh disagreed saying that, ” Aisa lagta hai jaise Narendra Modi ji ne yeh bayaan desh ke PM ke taur pe nahi, balki BJP ki PM ke taur pe di hai.”
He called Modi’s statement on Dadri lynching extremely unfortunate.
Modi, earlier on Wednesday, had said that incidents like ‘Dadri and Ghulam Ali are really sad but what is the role of the Centre in these incidents?’
Samajwadi Party too was quick to point out the Godhra jibe made by Shiv Sena leader. The party’s senior leader and a cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh governmeent, Azam Khan mockingly said, “RSS and other parties affiliated with BJP consider Narendra Modi as Godhra’s ‘hero.’ Dadri has harmed the nation’s feelings, the PM made a statement now when the entire world condemned it.”
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RSS’s MG Vaidya said, ” Shiv Sena ki izzat nahin badi, unhone badnaami mole lee hain. Virodh kar sakte hai, lekin virodh ka matlab apmaan nahi (The recent action by Shiv Sena has not enhanced its reputation but actually the party has earned disrepute for itself. You can oppose but not insult people.”
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Among those who wasted no time in taking a dig at Modi was the former Bihar chief minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
He said, “Why has Modi broken his silence? First you thrash and kill then say sorry. Is that how it should be. Ye sab BJP,RSS ka Modi ho ya koi ho,shaam ko bolega savere badal jaata hai sab.”
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UK and USA were among those countries, that had denied him the permission to enter their countries.