Lata Mangeshkar roots for Narendra Modi as PM; she is entitled to her view, says Congress

Pune: Narendra Modi, who is leading the BJP's campaign as its prime ministerial candidate, on Friday found support from legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar who backed the Gujarat Chief Minister for the top job in the country.

"Narendrabhai is like my brother. All of us want to see him become the Prime Minister. On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I hope our wishes would come true," the 84-year-old Ms Mangeshkar said at a function in Pune after Mr Modi inaugurated a super-speciality hospital named after the singer's father, Deenanath Mangeshkar. (See pics)

The 63-year-old chief minister returned the compliment with lavish praise.

"With their (Mangeshkar family) divine voices, delighted crores of people making them stress-free with music and making their minds and bodies healthy," the chief minister said.

The Opposition, which has been unrelenting and aggressive in its attack ever since Mr Modi was declared as the BJP's face for 2012, was restrained in its reaction to the endorsement for the chief minister from the veteran singer and Bharat Ratna awardee.

"Lata Mangeshkar is our Indian Icon and she is entitled to her Political Views. We all love her songs," tweeted senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

"I respect Lata Mangeshkar from my heart... but it is not her fault as many people are fooled with BJP and Modi," said Shivanand Tiwari of the Janata Dal (United), which severed its 17-year-long alliance with the BJP in June over the latter's decision to elevate Mr Modi as the head of its electoral campaign.

The Opposition continues to brand Mr Modi as "communal" who, it says, didn't do enough as chief minister to prevent the killings of nearly 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, during the deadly riots in Gujarat in 2002.