Jabalpur: Saying that former ally BJP was a much-changed party now, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on Thursday alleged that it was "corporate pressure" which had prompted it to name Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate.
"BJP has named Modi as its prime ministerial candidate under the pressure of corporate sector. These days, corporate culture is the order of the day in BJP," Yadav alleged.
Hinting at growing polarisation within the saffron party, Yadav said, "BJP has resorted to its previous ideology and is no longer following the ideology of ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior leader LK Advani."
Advani, who had stubbornly opposed Modi`s anointment, seems to have reconciled himself to the decision as he has now praised the Gujarat Chief Minister for carrying out "development work" in his home state, Yadav said.
"India is a country of different languages and cultures. Only secular governments can be formed here. After the general elections, neither UPA nor BJP would be able to come to power. A new front would form the government at the Centre," he said.
He said JD(U) had taken the call to sever its 17-year-old alliance with BJP following "ongoing developments" in the saffron party. "BJP has now become a party of different voices," he alleged.
Talking about the recent violence in Muzaffarnagar and the naming of politicians as accused for having incited the people, Yadav said action should be taken against all responsible.
A Muzaffarnagar court yesterday issued non-bailable arrest warrants against a BSP MP, two MLAs each of BJP and BSP and 11 other political and community leaders for allegedly inciting communal violence that claimed the lives of 47 people.
Reacting to the high drama yesterday in front of Uttar
Pradesh Assembly where BJP leaders and workers, led by Uma Bharti, tried to stall the possible arrest of a BJP MLA for his alleged role in inciting Muzaffarnagar riots, Yadav said Bharti "now is left with no work".
He made light of the rally Modi is supposed to address in Bhopal on September 25, for which people would have to buy a Rs 5 ticket, saying,
"Usually, people go to theatre after purchasing tickets".
Referring to poll surveys, the JD(U) chief said they were meant for European countries and "had no relevance in India where rural and tribal voters who form the majority normally remain silent (as respondents to such surveys)".
PTI
