New Delhi:
Taking a dig at developments in BJP, Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today described Narendra Modi as 'Bhasmasur', a mythological character known for trying to destroy his creator.
Mr Ramesh said the Gujarat Chief Minister had "consumed" his mentor LK 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," Mr Ramesh told PTI.
In Indian mythology, Bhasmasur was a demon who was granted the power by Lord Shiva to destroy anyone whose head he touched with his hand. Bhasmasur then attempted to touch Lord Shiva's head with his hand because he wanted to possess Shiva's wife, Parvati.
On Mr Modi's elevation as the chairman of BJP'scampaign committee, Mr Ramesh said, "We have to be content with that reality.... If BJP wants to commit suicide, why should we stop them."
Mr Ramesh also contrasted the leadership styles of the Gujarat Chief Minister and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and said, "The fundamental difference is that Rahul Gandhi is trying to create a structure and a system which are not dependent on individuals. Modi is saying I don't care about the system, I am the structure. I am the system. Nothing exists other than me. Mr Gandhi has never said that."
The Minister, however, refused to say that the 2014 elections will be Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi contest but said it will be a fight between Congress and RSS.
Launching a scathing attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its chief Mohan Bhagawat, Mr Ramesh said the Sangh should now register itself as a political party. "The manner in which it has manoeuvred Modi in and Advani out and the manner in which Mohan Bhagawat is travelling all over the country, trying to lobby with various people, it is no longer a socio-cultural organisation," he said.