Dictator Modi will prove to be 'Bhasmasur' for BJP: JD (U)

Bhasmasur is a mythological character known for trying to destroy his creator, for his party

Describing Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as a dictator, Janata Dal (United) leader Ali Anwar on Monday said the Gujarat Chief Minister will prove to be a 'Bhasmasur', a mythological character known for trying to destroy his creator, for his party.

"Narendra Modi is a dictator, he will prove to be a 'Bhasmasur' for his party," Anwar said.

Anwar further said that all those who all believe in secularism must be united now.

The Janata Dal (United) ended its 17-year-long association with the BJP earlier in June this year citing differences over Modi's elevation as the poll panel chief for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar earlier on Saturday disapproved Modi's anointment as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, saying the nation will never accept such divisive elements.

"Whatever we said earlier has now come as the truth. We knew this will happen. And since it was not acceptable to us, we pulled out of the NDA alliance," Nitish told media in Patna.

"Let them rejoice, but the people of the country will never accept such divisive elements. Their view is not to unite and strengthen the country, but to weaken the country," he added.

JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav had also lashed out at the BJP after it selected Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, and said the latest political development is a clear indication that the saffron outfit is run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"Although it's the BJP's internal matter, I feel it has been proven now that the BJP is being run by RSS," he said.

BJP on Friday announced Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections.

The announcement came after a meeting of the party's parliamentary board in Delhi, which unanimously decided to project Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.

"We have projected Narendra Modi as our PM candidate," Rajnath Singh told media here after the parliamentary board meeting.

Modi thanked his party's central leadership for giving him such an important responsibility, and expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the next general elections.

"The BJP has always given me the opportunity to work for progress and development of the party and the nation in various capacities. Today, the BJP's central leadership has given me a very big responsibility," said Modi.

"With the blessings of the national leadership and love of the party workers, I am sure we will win. I whole-heartedly thank the party workers and national leadership," he added.

Modi assured his party workers and supporters that he would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the BJP emerges victorious in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP stalwart Lal Krishna Advani was not present in the parliamentary board meeting.

Several attempts had earlier been made by senior leaders to convince Advani, who had resigned from all party posts when Modi was appointed the election campaign committee chief in Goa earlier this year.

The BJP President even met the stalwart at the latter's residence here on Wednesday, but failed to convince him.