Without taking names, the seniors alleged that the party had been "forced to kowtow to a handful, and how its consensual character has been destroyed." (Press Trust of India photo)
Battling a virtual revolt from within after its Bihar defeat, the ruling BJP today said none of the criticism by party veterans had been directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The leaders have not said anything against Modi. They have said things against the strategy but not against Modi," union minister Venkaiah Naidu said.
Mr Naidu was commenting on BJP leaders openly attacking the leadership over the party's rout in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar has won a third term.
On Tuesday, BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Yashwant Sinha came out with a scathing statement saying that the party had been "emasculated" and its stand of collective responsibility for the Bihar defeat was a means of shirking responsibility.
Without taking names, the seniors alleged that the party had been "forced to kowtow to a handful, and how its consensual character has been destroyed."
A few other parliamentarians, especially those from Bihar like Shatrughan Sinha, Bhola Singh and RK Singh, have also joined the chorus.
Venkaiah Naidu said: "It would have been better if issues were raised in the party forum and not in public. We will take note of these concerns and discuss with all concerned people."
Mr Naidu's colleague Nitin Gadkari today denied that he had asked BJP president Amit Shah to take disciplinary action against the seniors. "Neither I nor any other party functionary has ever shown any disrespect to them and there was absolutely no question of any one suggesting explanation from them and not the least demanding disciplinary action against them," he said in a statement.
After an aggressive campaign in Bihar that included almost 30 rallies by PM Modi the BJP settled for 53 seats in the 243 member state assembly. The Grand Alliance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav and the Congress won 178 seats.
The result has been read by opposition parties as a thumbs down to the 17-month Modi government and a reflection of public anger over incidents that have been linked by critics to "rising intolerance."
Mr Naidu said the Bihar election would not have any effect on national politics.