War of words between BJP and Congress-SP demanding Modi's apology

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy attacked the Congress Party for demanding an apology from Modi for his 'puppy' analogy which evoked sharp criticism from various political leaders.

Speaking to the media here today, Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "The so-called secular forces, are trying to portray a picture which is absolutely bizarre. These people, the Congress friends who are asking Mr. Narendra Modi to apologize, are heartless people. They do not have any concern for mankind".

Modi's comment on the riots and his claim that the courts of the land have so far exonerated him of involvement in the various incidents also drew the ire of political leaders. When questioned about the violence in Gujarat in 2002, he said, "Even If I am in the back seat of a car and a puppy comes under the wheels, will it be painful or not? Of course, it is. Whether I'm a chief minister or not, I'm a human being. If something bad happens anywhere, it is natural to be sad."

Satyavrat Chaturvedi, a Congress Party leader, said that Modi's only intent is to remain in news by issuing such controversial statements.

"Narendra Modi's strategy is to remain in news all the time because outside Gujarat state he has no hold. He gives such controversial remarks time and again to remain in headlines," said Chaturvedi.

The Samajwadi Party which governs Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state and home to a large percentage of the country's Muslims, said Modi should apologize as soon as possible "or else the repercussions are going to be really harmful".