BJP, noted Kannada writer in war of words over Modi

Jnanpith award winning Kannada writer U. R. Ananthamurthy is being a called a "parasite" and compared to controversial model Poonam Pandey by Karnataka BJP leaders angry over his remark that he would not like to live in India with Narendra Modi as prime minister.

Undeterred by the attack by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the state, Ananthamurthy is sticking to his stand that Modi is not fit to be prime minister as he would create fear among people.

While former BJP minister C.T. Ravi termed Ananthamurhty "parasite-like", his party's Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath compared the writer to Poonam Pandey who hit headlines offering to strip nude for the Indian cricket team if if it won the World Cup in 2011.

Manjunath, talking to reporters in his home district of Shimoga, about 280 km north of Bangalore Wednesday, said Ananthamurthy was like Poonam Pandey for cheap publicity.

He said Ananthamurthy should keep his visa ready.

The writer had made the comment at a book release function in Bangalore Tuesday.

Ananthamurthy Thursday stuck to his stand saying the post of the prime minister carried with it dignity which would wear off if Modi occupies it.

His comments divided the community of Kannada authors with several jumping to his defence and attacking BJP for "cheap" personal attacks while others have dismissed the writer's statements either as "childish" or "emotional outburst".