Mumbai, June 18: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today targeted BJP leaders L K Advani and Narendra Modi, attributing the saffron party’s failed bid to regain power at the Centre to the duo’s perception in the public.
“Advani’s was not a face that could be liked by people,” Pawar said at a meeting of his party’s functionaries held here to take stock of its performance in Lok Sabha polls.
“Modi’s language against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not liked by people. Middle class voters felt Singh ably shielded India from effects of global recession,” he said.
Post-Godhra, the US denied visa to Modi, Pawar recalled. BJP leader Varun Gandhi also contributed to Muslims backing Congress, he added.
“Punjab Chief Minister P S Badal told me that the way Modi attacked the Prime Minister, every Sikh was hurt,” Pawar said.
When Left parties withdrew support to the UPA government last year, Mulayam Yadav’s Samajwadi Party saved it, Pawar said. “Otherwise, polls were inevitable then,” he added.
—Agencies