Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha, who was absent from the Goa BJP conclave, on Sunday, criticised media for portraying a rift between lK Advani and Narendra Modi. Soon after the announcement of Modi as poll campaign panel head, Sinha said media was forcing the BJP into a “quicksand of an imagined clash of personalities”.
“In the last three days I have been shown as anti-Narendra Modi and pro-lK Advani. The fact of the matter is I have spoken to none of them. The media has forced us into quicksand of an imagined clash of personalities, there is no Advani-Modi’ clash’,” said Sinha, describing him as neither anti-Modi nor pro-Advani.
“I was one of the earliest to speak in favour of Narendra Modi. The reason was the cadres wanted it, people wanted it. He has no match in the Congress party or elsewhere. Unfortunately the BJP has one major flaw. We are too sensitive to the views in the media. We often allow media to dictate agenda”, Sinha added.
Sinha said that his support for Advani stemmed from Indian cultural values that places emphasis on respect for our elders. “We do that every day in our families and deride those who do not do so. It was this feeling in my mind that prompted me to say that if Advani was on board, then the leadership question should be put to rest. This was misinterpreted by the media as me changing my support”, he added.
Referring to pro-Modi protests that took place outside Advani’s Delhi residence on Saturday, Sinha said: “Advani is not only the most senior leader, he is one of its most respected. What happened in front of his house yesterday is condemnable.
Sinha on Saturday rubbished media reports that he was not attending the Goa conclave because he is sick, and said that he is not suffering from ‘’NaMonia’’, as has been headlined in many dailies.
“I am not suffering from ‘’NaMonia’’. I am in perfect health, but there can be several other reasons for me not going to Goa,” he told mediapersons here, while expressing his displeasure over media publishing baseless stories about him.