'Modi carries communal stigma, lacks PM characteristics'

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said BJP leader Narendra Modi carries a communal stigma and lacks a representative character needed to be India's prime minister.

Addressing election rallies in the Poonch district of Jammu region Wednesday, Abdullah said: "The prime minister of India should reflect a representative character and possess equal concern for all sections of the society. Narendra Modi is devoid of this characteristic and carries with him the stigma of communal bias."

Abdullah said Modi did not express sorrow for the killings of large number of innocents in Gujarat and categorically refused to wear a skull cap presented to him by a Muslim.

"This does not suit someone who wants to be the prime minister of a great country like India which is a pluralistic society with diversity of cultural heritage and faiths," he said.

The chief minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate symbolizes a particular ideology based on dividing the society on religion and regional bias.

"On the other hand, (Congress vice president) Rahul Gandhi represents the aspirations of the people of all sections of society and is a torch bearer of secular democratic India. As such, he deserves to be the prime minister to give justice to all and ensure equitable and inclusive development, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or colour," he said.

Referring to the fielding of a candidate by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the National Conference-Congress common nominee, Abdullah claimed the aim is to divide voters of the Poonch-Rajouri belt to help Modi and the BJP.

He claimed the secret alliance between the BJP and the PDP has now come to the fore. He added when Modi says new members have come to his support from Kashmir, the Gujarat chief minister refers to PDP.