Ahmedabad:
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has reacted sharply to a comment made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying linking serious issues to former Gujarat Minister Amit Shah is the "biggest joke of the year."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had hinted during his interaction with Editors yesterday, that the BJP was virtually blackmailing the government over issues like the crucial goods and services tax, to get it to go soft on Amit Shah, who is an accused in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case. (
Read: Did BJP put pressure on Prime Minister over Amit Shah?)
"The Opposition parties, particularly the BJP party, has taken a very hostile attitude and the reason that has been given quite frankly, I cannot I think can mention in public. They say because you have taken some decision against a particular person, who was a minister in Gujarat, you must reverse it or you... I don't want to add further," Dr Singh had said.
Mr Modi hit back saying, "The Prime Minister's speech yesterday is the biggest joke of 2011. I request the Prime Minister to present the minutes of the Empowered Committee before India's people so they get to know the shortcomings in his agenda. You've been unable to do much and have admitted as much in public. Do not blame the ministers of Gujarat for this."