Congress doesn't believe in 'Indian-ness' of Modi: Maken

Dissociating itself from general secretary Janardan Dwivedi's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress Thursday said it follows principles of Mahatama Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kabir on "Indian-ness", not that of the BJP leader.

Addressing a press conference here, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken said the party believed in "Indian-ness" of Mahatama Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and Kabir, and Modi is not even close to it.

"Under Modi's seven-month rule, there have been incidents of riots in Trilokpuri and churches are being burnt, women are being asked to produce more children, term like Ramzada is being used," he said, and asked if this was the "Indian-ness" which Dwivedi was talking about.

"We cannot do anything if someone from the Congress says whatever Dwivedi said, but the party high command will surely take action against it," he said.

Dwivedi's thoughts on Indian-ness and Modi are not those of the party and "we criticise it", Maken said.

Dwivedi was earlier quoted by an agency as saying that Modi and the BJP "have been successful in convincing people that from a social point of view they are closer to Indian citizens", and this was the start of a "new era".

Dwivedi, 69, denied saying he was "misquoted". The Congress has already issued a notice to him, asking explanation, sources said.