LK Advani 'saved' Narendra Modi from removal as Gujarat CM in 2002: Jairam Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also claimed that Lal Krishna Advani also made a famous statement calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “brilliant event manager”.
Bharat Ratna to LK Advani: Congress veteran Jairam Ramesh on Saturday alleged that Lal Krishna Advani was the reason Narendra Modi was not removed as chief minister of Gujarat after the 2002 Godhra communal riots. He insinuated that BJP was given the Bharat Ratna award because the Prime Minister feels indebted to him .
Speaking to reporters at Mohanpur in Jharkhand's Deoghar on the sidelines of Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', Ramesh claimed that Advani 'saved' the Gujarat CM seat from Narendra Modi, which seemed likely due to the fallout of the Godhra riots in 2002.
“In 2002, Advani ji had saved Narendra Modi. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had reminded Modi lesson of 'Raj Dharma' and wanted to remove him from the post of CM. However, there was only one person who saved him and that was Advani (during a BJP rally) in Goa,” the senior Congress leader told reporters after being asked about his reaction to the transfer of Bharat Ratna to Advani.
Advani called Modi 'brilliant event manager'
Gujarat witnessed deadly communal riots in 2002 when Modi was chief minister of the western state.
Ramesh claimed that Advani had also made a famous statement calling Modi a “brilliant events manager”.
“Fast forward to Gandhinagar before the 2014 elections, Advani ji had said that Narendra Modi is not his disciple but a brilliant events manager,” Ramesh said. “When I look at Advani ji and Modi ji, I remember these two things,” the senior Congress leader said.
'Awards given on the basis of merit under the Modi regime'
Reacting to Ramesh's comments, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “In the Modi regime, awards are given on the basis of merit. This administration is different from that of Congress, which gave awards only to close associates. Congress leaders cannot process the change and express frustration.”
Wishes are pouring in for LK Advani
Several BJP leaders congratulated Advani after the former deputy prime minister's name was announced as the latest recipient of the Bharat Ratna award – India's highest civilian honor.
“Advani ji has fueled the 'alakh' of cultural nationalism through his Rath Yatra and the parameters of fairness he created are enormous. We are very happy that our honorable leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Advani ji has been handed over to Bharat Ratna,” former Union Minister and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told news agency PTI.
“We thank our Prime Minister for this decision, which has made the people of the country and every BJP worker happy,” Prasad said.
Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said, “It is a happy day for all of us as our beloved leader Advani has been handed over to Bharat Ratna. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Central Government for the decision.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that LK Advani will receive the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.
(With PTI inputs)