Modi is 'Bhasmasur', has consumed his mentor Advani: Ramesh

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday described Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as India’s “first authentic fascist.”  Ramesh also conceded that Modi “poses a challenge” for the Congress party in the coming elections.

“He will certainly impose a challenge on us. He represents not just a managerial challenge. But he also represents an ideological challenge,” Ramesh told reporters here.

His acknowledgement is the first by a Congress leader, as his party has often tried portraying Modi as someone influential only in Gujarat.

Ramesh, who is Congress’ strategist, however, dismissed suggestions that the Congress “is afraid of the Gujarat leader.

“Why should we be afraid of Modi? Yes, he won three elections in Gujarat. No doubt, he was a formidable campaigner,” the minister said when asked whether Modi posed a challenge for the Congress in the 2014 elections. 

Describing Modi as “Bhasmasur,” a mythological character known for trying to destroy his creator, the minister said the Gujarat chief minister “has consumed” his mentor L K Advani.

“Modi is Bhasmasur. He will consume the people who have created him. He has consumed his mentor, Advani. He has consumed Togadia, one of his co-conspirators in 2002, and he is nothing but a Bhasmasur,” the minister said.

Ramesh also compared his party leader Rahul Gandhi and Modi—the two possible Prime Ministerial candidates for the 2014 elections. Ramesh said Gandhi was trying to create a structure and a system in the country.  Modi “is saying he is the system and the structure.”

The minister, however, refused to say that the 2014 elections would be Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi contest but said it “will be a fight between the Congress and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).”

Ramesh also launched a scathing attack on the RSS and its chief Mohan Bhagawat.
Ramesh said the RSS must register itself with Election Commission and field its candidate in the elections.