New Delhi:
Senior BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, in a pickle over a remark about LK Advani, has sought to limit damage.
The former Goa chief minister, who had compared Advani to rancid pickle in a TV interview, on Wednesday claimed his comments had been "twisted and maliciously blown out of proportion."
"The interview given by me has been twisted and maliciously blown out of proportion by a section of media," he said, adding this had "occurred probably as the interview was in a vernacular language."
In the television interview, Parrikar, who has been talked about as a future head of the BJP, said: "Advani is like a seasoned player now, like Sachin Tendulkar whose performance has become better over the years. The older he has become, the better he has begun playing, like say a pickle that matures over a year. But after more than one year, it gets overripe and rancid. I feel Advani's period is more or less over. At least, it will be in the next one or two years. He should be a guide and mentor. His experience and capability should be available to the BJP."
In his clarification on Wednesday, Parrikar said: "I wish to clarify that the report appearing in national media based on twisted interpretation of my interview are fully unfounded and baseless. I hold Advaniji in great personal esteem, as reflected throughout my said interview. And any other inference of my interview is baseless and denied."