Ramesh calls Modi 'Bhasmasur', Akhilesh says magic works only on TV, Guj

Narendra Modi was at the receiving end of fresh barbs from rivals today with Union Minister Jairam Ramesh likening him to "Bhasmasur" and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Akhilesh Yadav saying his magic only works on television and Gujarat.
Ramesh, a Congress leader, while describing the Gujarat Chief Minister as 'Bhasmasur', a mythological character known for trying to destroy his creator, said Modi has "consumed" his mentor and BJP patriarch L K Advani.
"Modi is Bhasmasur. He will consume the people who have created him. He has consumed his mentor, Mr Advani. He has consumed Togadia, one of his co-conspirator in 2002 and he is nothing but a Bhasmasur," Ramesh told PTI in Delhi.

Bhasmasur was a demon who was granted the power by Lord Shiva to destroy anyone whose head he touched with his hand. When Shiva granted him the power, Bhasmasur attempted to touch the head of the Lord with his hand because he saw his wife Parvati and wanted to possess her.
Ramesh, an outspoken minister, also dubbed Modi as India's "first authentic fascist".
Ramesh was responding to questions about the developments in the BJP after Advani's resignation from all party posts following the elevation of Modi as Chairman of BJP's Election Campaign Committee for the next Lok Sabha elections.

Dismissing the possibility of any impact of Modi in UP, Samajwadi Party leader and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said his elevation will not cast a magic spell as the Gujarat strongman is hardly acquainted with UP politics.

"Modi's elevation and his magic will not cast a spell in Uttar Pradesh as Modi is hardly acquainted with the nitty-gritty of UP politics and people of the state hardly know him. His magic only works on television and Gujarat. I don't want to say anything further," he told reporters in Bangalore.
Modi's close aide Amit Shah yesterday embarked on his maiden visit to UP after taking charge of BJP's affairs in the politically sensitive state voicing optimism that he "foundation" for NDA's poll victory in 2014 would be laid in UP.
"I have come to UP for the first time but I want to say that the solid foundation of the next NDA government under the leadership of BJP in 2014 would be laid from UP," Shah had said.