Neither Narendra Modi nor Rahul Gandhi fit to be PM: UR Ananthamurthy

Jnanapith award winner UR Ananthamurthy, who has been in the news lately for his comments on Narendra Modi’s projection as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, said on Tuesday that he did not consider Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial material, either.

In yet another incendiary remark, Ananthamurthy said Brahmins used to eat cows after sacrificing them while performing yagas in the Vedic period. The writer’s remarks came at an interaction organised by the Press Club and Reporters’ Guild.

At the meeting, Ananthamurthy denied saying that he would leave the country if Narendra Modi became prime minister. “I said that it would be difficult for me to live in this country if Modi becomes prime minister. There is no difference between Adolf Hitler and Narendra Modi. I am against Modi becoming prime minister,’’ he said.

Reiterating his opinion on Modi, he said that none of the leaders, including Modi and Rahul, were qualified to become prime minister of the country. “It is difficult to find suitable and qualified leaders among the political parties to become prime minister of this country,’’ he said.

Emphasising on the welfare schemes for the benefit of people, he said the need of the hour is to ensure peace and welfare schemes for people and not development that ruined people. “Development of Bangalore had ruined peace in the city and is a source for corruption,’’ he said.

Describing his remarks on Modi as “the truth”, the writer said he would not hesitate to repeat it in future. He said the one similarity between Modi and himself is that “both of us have a beard”.

“I like music and also women. Modi is a bachelor. I am not aware whether Modi likes music and reads books,’’ he said.

Comparing Congress with the Ganga river, he said: “Congress is known for corruption like how Ganga river is known for pollution.  However, I am not ashamed to support Congress in the next elections for Parliament’’.