BJP turning friendless after naming Modi as its leader: Veerappa Moily

Veerappa Moily claimed that BJP was turning to be a friendless party after it named Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who lacked a pan-Indian acceptance, as Chairman of its national campaign committee.

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister and senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on Saturday claimed that BJP was turning to be a friendless party after it named Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who lacked a pan-Indian acceptance, as Chairman of its national campaign committee.

"They had 22 partners when NDA was in power. Now, nobody is willing to sit with them. They are left with Shiv Sena and Akali Dal. Even AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa has not clearly said that she will support Modi as the leader," Moily told Congress workers during a three-day visit to Odisha. Moily said that Jayalalithaa had only said that Modi was her friend, but she did not make it clear whether she would back NDA after Modi`s elevation. Contrary to the recent survey by certain media houses, Moily said BJP was gradually losing its base across the country and alleged Modi lacked a pan-Indian acceptance. When reporters drew his attention to the recent survey by certain television channel, Moily said "They do not know the ground reality. They are good at discussion in Delhi. India is a vibrant country where people like inclusive politics, inclusive economy ... Philosophy." On BJP, Moily said, "They can only divide the nation and therefore untouchable by many parties. UPA has been emerging as a strong party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi which can provide sustainable politics. "They (BJP) are not in the scene in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They have lost Karnataka and in the process of losing some other states," Moily said, adding that Congress would retain Rajasthan after the elections. The veteran Congress leader claimed that even the BJP had recorded decline in vote-share in Gujarat under the leadership of Modi. "NDA is totally in anti-climax after naming Modi as its leader. They are now minus 30 crores (support base), particularly after announcing the name of Modi," Moily said. Referring to Odisha, Moily said Congress would return to power in the state and the party would capture most of the parliament and assembly seats in the next elections. PTI