BJP conducted havans to kill me, says Manmohan

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has claimed that some BJP leaders conducted havans to hasten his death, a sensational threat perception that is sure to rock the parliament when it opens next week.

In an interview to India Today on the nuclear issue, the Prime Minister said the BJP’s attitude has been disappointing. “They didn’t even believe I would last as the Prime Minister and some leaders even did havans that I should die on a certain day. But I have faith in a higher force.

I believe it was my destiny to be the Prime Minister. I have the courage of conviction,” he said.

Singh’s claims have amused and angered the BJP in equal measure. On the one hand, they are making fun of his accusation and of his faith “in a higher force”.

On the other, they are categorical in their assertion that they will demand an explanation from him before allowing the parliamentary business to be conducted. 

“How can a Prime Minister talk in such a senseless manner? These are the signs of a man on shaky ground,” BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. “This could make for a good sequel to the Mungerilal series titled Mungerilal Ke Daravane Sapne. He will have to explain the statement to the nation when the parliament opens on Monday.”

Singh had given the interview to the magazine in June with the understanding that it will appear only when the 123 Agreement is signed.

A previous interview, in which Singh spoke to an English daily, also turned out to be controversial. In that piece he had dared the Left to withdraw from the UPA.