'Well-wishers should not make petty remarks'

Not wanting to fan further controversy over controversial statements from saffron ‘parivar’ members, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Tuesday tweeted the message to distance himself from their controversial remarks.

“I disapprove any such irresponsible statement and appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so. Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP’s well-wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development & good governance (sic),” Modi said on Twitter. He also appealed to those making them to “kindly refrain from doing so, the entire nation (is) looking towards BJP for going to people solely on issues of good governance and development”.

Modi’s tweet has come at a time when there were criticisms from all corners. Sniffing political opportunity, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Arjun Modhwadia said, “By just tweeting does his responsibility end? Why doesn’t he ensure the arrest of such people who are intentionally delivering hate speeches and dividing the society.’’

The tweet from Modi has come a day after the tape of a hate speech by VHP leader Pravin Togadia in Bhavnagar surfaced. Togadia is known to have made such contentious  statements even in the past and Modi had never reacted, but this time around sensing that such comments could dent the BJP’s national campaign for 2014 elections, Modi decided to react through Twitter.