Rajnath asks BJP workers not to politicise Uttarakhand crisis

Seeking to put an end to the ongoing war of words between supporters of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Rajnath Singh today asked his party workers not to politicise the Uttarakhand crisis or react to jibes.

'The BJP appeals to party karyakartas not to politicise Uttarakhand tragedy. Even if you are instigated by others stay calm and composed,' Singh said on Twitter.

His remarks come against the backdrop of claims that Modi had helped evacuate 15,000 Gujaratis stranded in flood- affected Uttarakhand in two days.

This had led to attacks and counter-attacks between supporters- including those on social media sites- of Modi and Gandhi.

The BJP President, in whose presence truckloads of relief material was sent-off from Lucknow today, also sought to downplay the efforts being made by his party to provide help to the victims of the Uttarakhand tragedy.

'The BJP today dispatched 8 truckload of relief material and Rs 56,06,994 in cash as symbolic gesture from Lucknow to Uttarakhand. The BJP has also directed all state units not to flag off relief material as it hurts the human sensibilities,' Singh said.

He clarified that contrary to certain media reports, there was no flagging off at Lucknow.

'The relief was simply dispatched to the flood affected people,' Singh said.