Sharad Yadav better than Modi as PM: Govindacharya

Former thinktank of the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) idealogue K.N. Govindacharya Tuesday said NDA convenor Sharad Yadav was better than Narendra Modi for the post of prime minister.

Though there are many aspirants, both in the UPA and National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Janata Dal-United president Yadav would be a good option for the top post, Govindacharya said.

He said Yadav was better as he has held senior ministerial positions in the union government and was the "most experienced".

Govindacharya, 69, supported Yadav's recent statement in which he had said that the issue would be settled within the NDA after the Lok Sabha polls in 2014.

"Continuous speculations and aspirations by leaders is demeaning the office of the prime minister," Govindacharya told reporters at the Lucknow press club.

On being asked why did he not consider Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a suitable candidate for the top post, he said the Sanjay Joshi episode had shown that Modi lacked tolerance and was personal in political matters.

Blaming the failure of anti-graft campaigns on the lack of leadership, Govindacharya said Arvind Kejriwal's campaign appeared to be a JD-U campaign, while that of yoga guru Baba Ramdev had morphed into a new face of the BJP.

Govindacharya also announced a sit-in in New Delhi Oct 1 to demand more and direct funds to the panchayat level and strengthening them.