BJP strife like civil war on reality TV: Manish Tewari

The internal strife in the BJP is like a "civil war playing out on reality television", Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said Tuesday, in a dig at the national opposition party.

"What is happening in the BJP is their internal matter. It is a civil war situation playing out like reality television," said the minister when asked to comment on Bharatiya Janata Party strongman and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi going to meet party veteran L.K. Advani who has not shied from displaying his reservations against Modi’s elevation in the party.

Advani had resigned from party posts after Modi was made in charge of the BJP's 2014 election campaign, but withdrew his resignation later. Modi, who is touted as the party’s likely prime ministerial candidate for 2014, met Advani Tuesday morning.

Tewari said “the larger question” behind Modi’s elevation needed to be dealt with. He said after Modi was made chief minister in 2001 the Gujarat riots followed in 2002 that “demolished communal harmony”.

"Now that he is bound for Delhi, the BJP itself stands demolished,” he said, referring to the dissension in the party where a section is staunchly pro-Modi and for his elevation as prime ministerial candidate, while a section is reported to have its reservations against the move.

The BJP’s long-time partner, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), too has parted ways from the BJP after 17 years following Modi’s elevation.

Tewari said the people of the country “would be well served” to keep in mind these developments concerning Modi.

To a question on Modi showcasing his secular bent, Tewari said the people should decide on his secular credentials keeping the 2002 riots in mind.