Projection of Modi caused immense harm to NDA: Sharad Yadav

After the stunning defeat of NDA in Lok Sabha polls, knives were out with its convener Sharad Yadav holding that Varun Gandhi's "hate statement" and projecting of Narendra Modi as future Prime Ministerial candidate had caused immense harm.  

"It may be right or wrong or he (Varun's) might have denied but his statement has caused immense damage. 

His statement was unconstitutional. It was against the country's unity and must have affected the polls," Yadav told reporters.  

Asked whether references that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi could be a future Prime Ministerial candidate had affected the prospects of NDA, Yadav, who is also JD(U) president, said the eruption of the issue in deed had confused the people.  

"It was a factor. When the issue had come up, it created confusion among the people's mind. Since the NDA had already declared a Prime Ministerial candidate (L K Advani) unanimously, the issue should have been dismissed immediately," he said.

Yadav said such an issue (Prime Ministerial candidate) had come up in JD(U) too during the electioneering, but the party summarily rejected.  

Asked whether Gujarat riots too had affected the NDA's prospects, Yadav said such issues do have impact on polls.  

"As far as Godhra is concerned, we have contested four elections after that. Whatever had happened in Godhra and after Godhra were inhuman. So, such incidents do have affect."