New Delhi, April 1 – Senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti reiterated on Tuesday that BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi is a popular leader but he is not a very good orator.
On Monday, Bharti had stirred a controversy by questioning the oratory skills of the Gujarat Chief Minister.
Addressing a BJP workers meet on Monday in Jhansi from where she is contesting the Lok Sabha polls, Bharti said, “Have you heard Modi making speeches? Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the best orator of our party. Nobody equals his oratory skills in Indian politics.”
“Vajpayee is the best orator BJP has ever had. When you compare Modi to Vajpayee, you realise Modi is not as good. But Modi’s rallies still see a huge turnout as people want to show their support,” Bharti said.
Asked if she regretted having made the remark against Modi, Bharti told reporters on Tuesday, “I stand by what I said. Modiji is extremely popular but not a good orator as AB Vajpayeeji.”
Bharti’s controversial comment provided ammo to Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress leader and former UP PCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi said, “Modi’s speeches lack content. He doesn’t have any knowledge about India’s history. He doesn’t say anything about the plans for India’s future, not even a small-time party worker uses the language that Modi does. He has no control over what he says.”
Bharti had recently given a tough time to her party when she refused to leave her Jhansi seat in favour of BJP’s plan to field her against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli. Bharti had said she was ready to contest against Gandhi but would not give up her Jhansi seat.
– INDIA TODAY
