Congress trying to defame Modi, says BJP

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Venkaiah Naidu accused the Congress party for attempting to defame Narendra Modi, and said that the ruling party was threatened by the Gujarat Chief Minister's growing popularity.

"The Congress party is trying to defame Narendra Modi as they are rioted by his growing appeal and popularity. They have set up separate departments to counter and defame the leadership of the BJP. They are coming with all sorts of allegations," said Naidu.

He further said that the BJP's appeal was growing amongst the people and Modi was becoming increasingly acceptable to the country, which is causing immense insecurity in the Congress.

Earlier, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari had reportedly told Congress party members that Modi is going to be an issue in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and his party workers must be prepared for the challenge.

Additionally, BJP President Rajnath Singh had confirmed earlier in the week that his party has an internal consensus on their prime ministerial candidate.

Though the name of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is actively doing the rounds, the BJP is reluctant to formalise it currently.