File photo of Narendra Modi.
A group of artistes, including those associated with Bollywood, today came out in support of Narendra Modi for the prime ministership, saying he has proved his ability to run a government successfully.
Noted dancer Sonal Mansingh, singers Anoop Jalota and Richa Sharma addressed a press conference here to endorse Modi for the prime ministership.
They said noted Bollywood Director Madhur Bhandarkar also wanted his support to be conveyed by them although he could not join them.
When reached for his comment, Bhandarkar, the maker of hit movies like 'Corporate' and 'Fashion', told PTI over phone from Mumbai that he could not join them but he supports Modi.
"We believe that Narendra Modi has proved his ability to run a government sucessfully... we wholeheartedly endorse candidature of Narendra Modi for prime ministership and we appeal all voters to support Modiji," said Mansingh while reading out a pledge on behalf of the group of artistes.
Jalota, who is famous mainly for bhajan songs, said "Modiji has decided to make Varanasi a culture capital of the country. Varanasi should be culture capital."
In this context, he noted that music maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Channu Lal hail from this culturally rich city of Uttar Pradesh.
Jalota then referred to the difficult economic situation faced by Bismilla Khan during his last days and said a Bharat Ratna awardee should also be given Rs one cr so that he can maintain the pride of the award.
Sonal Mansingh, famous Odissi dancer, used the occasion to attack the UPA government for removing her from Lalit Kala Academy in 2005.
"I was made Chairperson of Lalit Kala Academy in December 2003. I was removed in 2005 by UPA govt. It was for the first time politics interfered in culture," she said.
Hailing Modi, she said he is also "a poet" and "So he can understand the pain of an artiste."
Taking on the Culture Ministry, she said the art world is neglected and the National Museum is "rotting".
"In the last 15 years, no Director General has been appointed and the Joint Secretary of Culture Ministry is taking care of it," she said.