Congress in habit of twisting facts: BJP

A day after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's "puppy" allegory in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots drew wide condemnation, the BJP slammed the Congress, saying it was "twisting" what was said.

"The Congress is in the habit of twisting facts about what Gujarat Chief Minsiter Narendra Modi has to say. They are also in the habit of digging at Modi's popularity and impeccable integrity," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news channel here.

"Now it is clear that there is some kind of hatred against Modi, but the more they (Congress) seek to hate him without any basis, Modi's popularity is going to rise among the people of the country," he said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview to an international news agency, had claimed that his administration was above blame in its conduct during the 2002 riots, but he felt bad, just as he might feel bad if a puppy were run over by a car.

The comments raked up a controversy, and were criticised widely. The BJP, as well as Modi himself, have claimed that the remarks were misinterpreted.