BJP as party has lost relevance: Gehlot

The Congress has stepped up its attacks on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi after he was anointed the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general polls.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said in Jodhpur Sunday that the BJP as a party should be scrapped as it had lost its relevance.

"It is not a political party anymore. It has become a mere mask of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)," Gehlot said while referring to anointment of Modi for prime minister's post in next year's Lok Sabha elections.

He added that the RSS should declare publicly that it would carry out the political activities itself rather than using BJP for the same.

Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh also hit out at Modi indirectly saying he was a "self-centred" leader.

Ramesh was in the city for a media briefing on the newly-enacted land acquisition bill.

Without taking Modi's name, Ramesh said one politician in our country keeps reiterating all the time that "I have done this and I have done that" and he feels that the world ends with him.

"This politician is self-centred and autocratic," said Ramesh.

Joining the bandwagon of leaders who are making comparisons between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Modi, Ramesh said Gandhi "works quietly and does not boast of what he does".

Ramesh said: "He doesn't indulge in forcing his opinion on others and is a good listener. Rahulji believes in taking everybody along."

Ramesh added that Gandhi works for the welfare and empowerment of commoners. "He never claims to have a magic wand, but quietly works towards solving problems of common men," he said.

He said Gandhi's contribution in preparing the draft of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2013 was appreciated.

"His inputs made this law more effective," he said. Ramesh said Gandhi ensured to keep welfare of not only landowners during acquisitions but also of those who depend on that land for earning a livelihood in the bill.