Modi could address supporters at replica of Red Fort to 'fulfill ambitions': Lalu Yadav

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday took a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for skipping the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting held here earlier today, and mocked the prospect of the Gujarat Chief Minister taking over as the country's leader, after the 2014 general elections.

"Modi knew he would be targeted by politicians at the meet today, that is why he skipped this crucial meet. Does he think he will become the Prime Minister? I think it is not that easy a task. What he could do is to address his supporters at a replica of the iconic Red Fort in Chhattisgarh in a bid to fulfill his ambitions," Yadav said.

Modi has faced immense political criticism for skipping the NIC meeting, which was called by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to discuss the internal concerns that face the country.

Earlier today, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla recalled that Modi had recently addressed Indian Diaspora in America, as part of his election campaign, and said it was unfortunate that the Gujarat chief minister could not find time to attend a meeting of the NIC, which dealt with domestic concerns.

"He is already so egoistic that he thinks that all of these meetings are useless, and that he is supreme. Narendra Modi has time to address U.S. citizens, but does not have time to address discussions on internal harmony, peace, law and order of the country," Shukla said.

"At a meeting at which all the chief ministers of the country were present, Narendra Modi could not find time to attend the NIC. One can only imagine what he would do if, god forbid, he comes into a more important position of power in the country," he added.

The 148-member NIC will discuss among other issues safety and security of women, confidence- building measures taken to tackle communal disturbances and taking help from all sections of society in removing communal tension.

Union Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories are members of the NIC.

Leaders of national and regional political parties, chairpersons of national commissions, eminent journalists, public figures and representatives of business and women's organisations are also part of NIC.