Can't say if Modi is communal or not: Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare Friday said he had never said that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was not communal.

"I didn't say that Modi is not communal. I said that I can't say...as I don't have any evidence. I have never praised him," Hazare said at a press conference here.

"He is leading a party (Bharatiya Janata Party) (in the next general elections) which is communal so that makes him communal too," Hazare said.

He added that Modi, who is the chairman of BJP's election campaign panel for next Lok Sabha polls, never condemned the Godhra riots in harsh words.

On a question regarding the next prime minister, he said it would be decided by the public in the next general elections.

The anti-graft crusader also made it clear that he would not support any political party or leader. "Arvind Kejriwal formed a party. So there is no question of supporting him," Hazare said.

He added that the country needed the Lokpal Bill and not communalism as it would divide the society.

The veteran activist visited Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh during his 'Jantantra Yatra' to push for a strong Lokpal Bill.

"I will be visiting Bihar and other states in the second phase of the yatra, which starts from July 23," he said.