Modi is my friend, says RSS chief Bhagwat

Allahabad: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat described Narendra Modi as his “friend” but side-stepped queries on the possible projection of the Gujarat Chief Minister as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. “He is my friend”, said Bhagwat when asked by reporters what he thought of Modi. However, when asked whether he supported the demand for projecting the Gujarat Chief Minister as the Prime Ministerial candidate, the RSS chief said, “I am not a political person…..I am not here on a political visit”. Bhagwat was speaking to mediapersons at the ongoing Maha Kumbh congregation here during which he is likely to attend the “Dharm Sansad” of Sangh Parivar outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A section of BJP leaders have demanded that Modi be declared as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate. VHP leader Ashok Singhal had yesterday said the Gujarat Chief Minister enjoys the same popularity as that of the first Prime Minister JawaharLal Nehru. [caption id=“attachment_617964” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (L)and VHP President Ashok Singhal along (R)with sadhus at the Dharma Sansad organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) during Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahaba[/caption] However, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia had on Tuesday ducked queries on the likelihood of VHP pressing for projection of Modi as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. “I will only say the VHP is committed to helping the Hindus achieve what is their due,” he had said when asked about the possibility of VHP pitching for Modi as BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate. On Singhal calling Modi “Hindu Hriday Samrat”, he had said, “We are engaged in a collective effort. This is not the time to ponder over personal likes and dislikes”. PTI