Minorities "apprehensive" about Modi becoming PM: BJP leader

In remarks that are likely to embarrass BJP leadership in run-up to elections, senior party leader and Goa deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza today said minorities continue to be "apprehensive" about Narendra Modi becoming prime minister, even as he billed BJP the "most secular" party.

"The apprehension (about Modi becoming PM) was always there. It is still there," D'Souza told a press conference at the party headquarters here.

"Minorities will have apprehensions (about Modi becoming PM)," he said responding to a query.

When asked why minorities feel apprehensive should Modi helm the top job, D'Souza did not reply.

Responding to a query on whether this "apprehension" will adversely impact electoral prospects of BJP candidates, D'Souza said, "I don't have any apprehensions. I said minorities will have apprehensions".

He said secularism had been raked up as an agenda by Congress party which has failed to explain its "misrule" of last 60 years.

"Let's fight the election on the basis of issues. But opposition party is busy raising secularism as their plank," the deputy CM said.

D'Souza claimed BJP is the "most secular" party because it has six Catholic legislators in Goa compared to four in the Congress legislative wing.