Patel, Desai's contributions not acknowledged by 'Lutyen's crowd': Modi

In a veiled attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that "that there is a crowd in Lutyen's Delhi which doesn't want to acknowledge" contributions of several leaders including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai.

Slamming this culture, he said that he doesn't want to waste his time addressing such a crowd of Lutyen's Delhi.

"The Prime Minister's position is such that, that he doesn't get the opportunity to mix with the culture of Lutyen's Delhi," said Modi in an interview to CNN News 18.

"This thing should be understood properly. A certain crowd has been working within the political circles of Delhi and they are dedicated to only a few people. Maybe that is for their own interest and reason," he added.

"The question is not about me. If you look at the history, what happened with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel? The same crowd presented Sardar as a man with normal brain power.

"What happened with (former Prime Minister) Morarji Desai? His contribution was never highlighted to the people. There were only discussions about what he drank. What happened to (H.D.) Deve Gowda ji. A farmer's son became the Prime Minister but his image was created as if he used to always sleep," he said.

Continuing his attack on this section, Modi said: "What happened to Babasaheb Ambedkar. They made fun of him and humiliated him. They also made fun of Chaudhury Charan Singh. When they make fun of me, I don't get surprised.

"There are few people who have dedicated themselves to some people. They will never acknowledge the contributions of great people of the country. I don't want to waste time in addressing such crowds.

"I want to dedicate myself to the work of the people. I will not lose anything if I don't involve myself in this Lutyen's Delhi's world."

--IANS

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