Sidelined Congress leader N D Tiwari praises Narendra Modi

FAIZABAD: Sidelined Congress leader N D Tiwari, who appeared to be warming up to ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, has raised eyebrows by praising Narendra Modi and sharing stage with VHP leaders.

Tiwari was on the dais with Ram Janam Bhumi Nyas president and senior VHP leader Mahant Nritya Gopal Das at a programme of an eye hospital in Ayodhya where he was the chief guest and also visited the disputed site yesterday.

Praising Modi, Tiwari said the Gujarat chief Minister "has done great works for developments and prosperity in his state and now he is the prime ministerial candidate".

He appreciating Modi for different projects initiated by him and said the country's top priority is development.

After the Samajwadi Party government was formed in Uttar Pradesh, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had often visited Tiwari and also invited him on various occasions.

However, Tiwari's remarks have raised eyebrows in the SP with its leaders saying that Modi "cannot be foregiven" for the 2002 riots .

"Modi cannot be forgiven on any ground, whether it is development or prosperity," Uttar Pradesh minister Tej Narain Pandey said.