Uma Bharti has complained to the Election Commission over the misuse of an old statement against Modi
BJP leader Uma Bharti has complained to the Election Commission after the Congress today released a three-year-old video clip in which she is heard describing Narendra Modi as a "
vinash purush" or man of destruction.
In the CD, Uma Bharti, who was out of the BJP at the time, is heard saying that she "never saw Hindus as frightened as in Gujarat" and that "Gujarat has become a fear-stricken state." She also reportedly rubbishes Mr Modi's claims of exceptional development in Gujarat.
The Congress admits that the video is old, but says it demonstrates that there are "thousands" within the BJP who see their prime ministerial candidate as a dictator who makes false claims.
Uma Bharti, who is known for her outspoken ways, has told NDTV that she made the comments after she was expelled from the party. "Even America has changed its mind about Modi," she quipped.
In the video, Uma Bharti is heard saying, "I know him since 1973... He is not a Vikas Purush (development man) but a Vinash Purush (man of destruction). His claim of GDP growth...is fake. In the last five years, Gujarat went deeper into debt. Gujarat got neither Ram nor Roti. It should be freed from the Vinash Purush."
She also comments that it was the media that made Mr Modi big, "Since you have inflated the balloon, you will have to deflate it," she says.
Uma Bharti was expelled from the BJP in 2005 after a public spat with senior leader LK Advani. She returned to the party in 2011, and is now contesting the national election from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "If somebody does not make such remarks during election days, it means there is more truth in that... These comments on the BJP's prime ministerial candidate were made by a senior leader like Bharti."
The Congress' plan to release the video clip yesterday was stalled when the video failed.