Narendra Modi

Ahmedabad, Jan 27 - In a possibly embarrassing gaffe, the main opposition Congress has praised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in an advertisement in this election year. A pull-out by Congress, distributed with newspapers on the Republic Day in some parts of the state, features Modi's photograph, and describes him as "a master organiser and astute election strategist".

BJP president Nitin Gadkari has endorsed Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the top posts of prime minister and party head, stirring a fresh debate among GenNext leaders positioning themselves for the 2014 sweepstakes. In an interview to a TV channel, Gadkari ruled himself out of the race for the PM's post and said he would not seek an extension as party chief after his tenure ends in December. "I will never be a candidate for PM nor will I topple anybody. 

New Delhi, Jan 19 - In an apparent bid to fight the pro-BJP tag, Team Anna today welcomed the Gujarat High Court judgement rapping Chief Minister Narendra Modi for "stonewalling" appointment of the Lokayukta. "It is unfortunate that the Gujarat Government did not appoint a Lokayukta for so long and the government is still resisting the appointment of a Lokayukta who has been selected by the Chief Justice of the High Court," the Team said in a statement.

New Delhi, Jan 17 - Amid the raging debate in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh over draping of elephant statues - election symbol of BSP - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today wondered whether elephants during Republic Day parade were a violation of the model code of conduct. "Centre makes bravery-award winning children sit on elephants during 26th Jan parade. Doesn't that violate model code of conduct" he posted on micro-blogging site twitter today on the EC regarding the election symbol of Bahujan Samaj Party.

New Delhi, Sept 20 - Describing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a "headache" for BJP and NDA, the Congress today claimed that he had reinforced his image of "great intolerance" by enacting the "drama of fast". "Modi is a headache for the BJP and the NDA. It does not affect the UPA. We do not see it from that angle. We see the fast undertaken by him as the biggest political hypocrisy of the decade," AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi told reporters.

Mumbai, Sep 19 - Dubbing the three-day fast of the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a "drama", the All India Ulema Board today said that the minority community was not any better off in the state. "The five-star fast by Narendra Modi is a drama and there is no right motive behind it...it is not for any good cause," Maulana Bunai Noaim Hasani told reporters here.

Ahmedabad, Sep 19 - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi refused to put on a `skull cap' offered by a Muslim cleric during his Sadbhavana' fast here. Sayed Imam Shahi Saiyed, a cleric of a small Dargah in Pirana village on the outskirts of the city (he lives in Savali village of Dakor taluka), had yesterday gone up to stage to greet the Chief Minister, at Gujarat University Convention hall here.

Ahmedabad, Sep 18 - Dismissing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day fast as a political stunt, post-Godhra riot victims in an open letter to Modi said that there cannot be 'sadbhavna' without justice. "No amount of power or arrogance gave Midas his glass of water nor will you get your sadbhavana with all your developmental publicity," riot victims stated in an open letter to Modi.