Narendra Modi's invite to Nawaz Sharif & Mahinda Rajapaksa under political fire

NEW DELHI: BJP's Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's move to invite Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has aroused political backlash.

While Congress has critised Modi of having 'double-standards' with regards to Pakistan, parties in the South are protesting the invite issued to Rajapaksa. "BJP earlier criticized us saying no relations with Pakistan till our soldiers are killed on border, what is Modi doing now?," asked Meem Afzal of Congress.

According to Times Now sources, Nawaz Sharif, who has accepted Modi's invitation, is likely to attend the cermony.

Meanwhile, Modi's invitation to Mahinda Rajapaksa to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26 has put BJP's allies in Tamil Nadu and chief minister J Jayalalithaa in a tight spot. With Rajapaksa accepting the invitation, sources in AIADMK said Jayalalithaa may skip the event and depute a senior leader to take part in the ceremony.

DMK has also criticised Modi for inviting Rajapaksa. "BJP should have respected the wishes of all parts of India," DMK leader TKS Elangovan has said.

BJP ally MDMK has opposed the participation of Rajapaksa, saying his presence would hurt the feelings of the Tamil people. Party founder Vaiko claimed Congress was shown the door by the people of TN for allegedly helping Colombo in its pursuit against LTTE, "in which thousands of Tamil civilians were killed." Vaiko has asked Modi and BJP chief Rajnath Singh not to allow Rajapaksa to attend the swearing in.

Sri Lanka strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom are expected to attend the ceremony.

During his meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday, Modi conveyed his wish to invite Saarc leaders for the swearing-in ceremony. This could be Karzai's last trip to Delhi, who shares excellent relations with India. The new President in Kabul will take charge soon.

(With inputs from PTI)