Indira Gandhi wasn't Secular, PM Lacks Vision: Modi

Bangalore:Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has sparked off another row. He has raised questions on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's secular credentials. "Indira Gandhi had committed a big sin; I will just speak of one as she committed many of them. Known for her secular inclination, when she was contesting polls in the northeast, the Congress party mentioned in their manifesto that if they win then they will bring in such a rule synonymous to that in the Bible. Can you imagine that if such is the stance while you are running the country then separatist forces would be in such high advantage; back then no one questioned her secularism," Modi said addressing an awards function in Mumbai.

He attacked the Gandhi family severely by alleging that they have concealed the importance that the North East states deserved to have by distorting the history to their benefits.

 Modi said "Events related to patriotism should have found more exposure and people should have been made aware of such inspirational personalities so that the young generation could draw immense motivation," as Hindustan Times reported.

"Some people laid down their lives for the country, many even spent their entire lives in jails of Andaman or were even executed. If these incidents come to light then what harm will it do to one particular family (Gandhis)? And, it is in this worry that the entire history is being deliberately distorted," he further said.

The Gujarat Chief Minister’s criticisms also extended to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. In Modi’s opinion Manmohan Singh lacked both vision and gumption to run the country.

(With PTI inputs)