This Article is From Jan 21, 2015

Praise for PM Modi? Sort of, Says Congress Leader Janardan Dwivedi

Praise for PM Modi? Sort of, Says Congress Leader Janardan Dwivedi

File photo of Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi

New Delhi: After he was quoted offering rich tributes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Janardhan Dwivedi clarified his remarks to news website rediff.com - but there was no denial.  

The website cites Mr Dwivedi, who is a senior Congressman as saying the election of Mr Modi as the country's top leader was "a victory of Indian-ness" and the start of a "new era."

"I didn't say that Modi has started a new era. I said it was the beginning of Modi's time," the  69-year-old leader said, claiming that he had spoken "informally" to a journalist.

Sources in the Congress say Mr Dwivedi was ordered to issue a clarification after the report was published.

Rediff reporter Sheela Bhatt tweeted that she stands by her story. "I accept there is a big challenge for the Congress and I don't agree this is Modi's and the BJP's victory. This is the defeat of the Congress party," said Mr Dwivedi, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha and often briefs the media on behalf of his party.

The Congress had not taken kindly to the last spokesperson who openly admired PM Modi. Shashi Tharoor, one of the party's 44 Lok Sabha members, was dropped as a spokesperson in October for praising the PM. Another reprimand was issued to him last week by the party for making new remarks seen as praise for the PM.
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