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The ‘Modi as PM’ chorus seems to be becoming louder. The latest to support Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the top post are senior lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani and veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini.
Modi is the right candidate in BJP for the Prime Minister’s chair, said Jethmalani. “After honestly surveying the political scene, I have understood the country wants that we must have Narendra Modi as the future Prime Minister,” he said in a media interaction in Vadodara on Saturday.
On being asked about the opposition within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over Modi’s candidature for PM post, he said, “Some people want to create an impression that there are people better than Modi in this country (for PM’s post). If anybody feels qualified to be the PM, he must come out and contest (elections).”
Commenting on Modi’s Hindu hard-liner image, Jethmalani said, “He is by no means anti-Muslim or communal. Those opposing him are trying to tarnish his image through false claims.”
Modi’s opponents want the present corrupt UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government back in power.”
Hema Malini, too, also pitched for Modi as PM. On being asked about the ongoing race for PM’s post, she said, “One can’t deny that he has done great work for Gujarat. The state is flourishing under him. If he gets a chance for the top post, he should accept it.”
The actress-turned politician was in town for a dance performance organised by a local non-government organisation (NGO) on Saturday. “He’ll do great job as the Prime Minister, since he has already shown his administrative skills through Gujarat’s growth,” she added.
Jethmalani also pulled up the Centre over black money, corruption issues and its lack of ability to deal with poverty in the country. “The present government at the Centre is corrupt and people want to get rid of it.”
He also criticised the UPA government for not disclosing names of the people, who have black money in Swiss banks. “The Centre has not disclosed those names even after the Supreme Court has directed it to do so,” he said.
