Shiv Sena takes dig at Modi over gag order to BJP leaders

Taking a dig at Narendra Modi's gag order to BJP leaders, ally Shiv Sena today said such warnings in the past have not yielded any positive result and the prime minister himself gave "masala" to the media.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which often criticises its senior ruling ally on various issues, said BJP leaders who speak out of turn were in fact "inspired" by Modi.

Modi on Sunday had asked BJP leaders and ministers to refrain from making "irresponsible" statements, saying such comments hurt the party's image.

Such gag orders have been given on earlier occasions too at party meetings, "but they have turned futile as BJP leaders continue to speak whatever comes to their mind", an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

Sharpening its attack on Modi, the Sena said, "BJP leaders and ministers must have been inspired by our prime minister himself to speak whatever comes to their mind.

"Till recently, Modi himself gave 'masala' to the media. Now the media feels the spices, pickle and papad given by (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi and others are better."