BJP makes Modi's degrees public, asks Kejriwal to apologize

The BJP on Monday made public the B.A. and M.A. degrees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought an apology from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for accusing Modi of lying about his educational qualification.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley held aloft the Bachelor of Arts degree issued by Delhi University and the Masters of Arts degree from Gujarat University at a press conference here.

"I think with this, the entire brouhaha over prime minister's degree would be put to rest," said Shah.

Shah, however, refused to drag Kejriwal to court over the issue.

"We are not going to initiate any legal proceedings against Kejriwal. But I am going to write a letter to him for his satisfaction," Shah said in response to a query.

Accusing Kejriwal of lowering the level of politics, the BJP sought a public apology from the Delhi chief minister.

"By raising this issue without any substantial proof, Kejriwal has lowered the level of politics. He has committed a sin to defame the nation. Kejriwal should apologize to the nation and to the world," Shah said.

He also sought to know from Kejriwal on what basis did he level the charges against the prime minister.

Jaitley said Modi completed his studies in difficult circumstances. He said Modi used to travel from Gujarat to give his B.A. examination. During the day he used to stay at the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) office here.

"Without checking any facts, this is public discourse at its lowest level," Jaitley said referring to allegations levelled by Kejriwal on Modi's degree.

"Those who claim to be common man should at least praise him. 'Isse bada aam admi ka koi aur udahran nahi ho sakta.' (There can be no greater example of a common man)," Jaitley said.

He said such an allegation had come from a party whose several legislators "are being prosecuted" for furnishing fake degrees.

Jaitley said that "politics of adventurism" is being treated as "a substitute for governance" in the union territory.

Kejriwal had repeatedly accused the prime minister of lying about his B.A. degree from Delhi University.

--IANS

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