Ram Vilas Paswan attacks Narendra Modi, says media giving too much hype to him

JHUNJHUNU: Lok Janshakti Party supremo Ram Vilas Paswan today launched a frontal attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for delivering a "parallel" Independence Day speech at Bhuj on August 15, and said the media was giving too much importance to the leader.

"When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed from the Red Fort on August 15, he addressed the entire nation, and not just one party.

"But for Modi to hoist the flag in Bhuj and deliver a parallel Independence Day speech undermines country's democracy and is not befitting. BJP is Bharat Jalao Party," Paswan said here, while addressing a large gathering during his 'Nyaya Rally'.

"BJP is just a channel. The transmitter is actually RSS. What Modi did in Bhuj by holding a parallel Independence Day address is condemnable and weakens democracy of India," the LJP supremo said, taking on BJP's political ideologue RSS.

He also accused the media of giving too much importance to Modi, and said "the electronic media treated the Gujarat Chief Minister's speech in Bhuj as if it was something very important for the country."

The LJP leader also favoured a CBI inquiry into the alleged murder of Pradeep Sharma, grandson of a freedom fighter Pandit Tarkeshwar Sharma, about six months ago.

Paswan said he will soon take up the matter with the Home Minister, Prime Minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and also raise the issue in Parliament until his demand for a CBI probe is accepted.

Paswan also attacked Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for not co-operating with the family to ensure justice for them.

"If your government is not involved then why are you not allowing a CBI probe," he questioned.

Paswan's son Chirag, who is also the chairman of party's parliamentary board, backed the demand and assured that "a CBI inquiry will be demanded from the government."

"I can assure you that I am hurt as someone born in a free India to see a freedom fighter's grandson being murdered and justice not being met. I will work for people and that's why I am here," Chirag said.