I am Modi's soldier, says Sakshi Maharaj in about-turn

New Delhi: After being quoted as saying he can make or break the government, controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Wednesday did an about turn and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his politics of “inclusive development” and described him as a “divine power”.

The five-time MP, a Hindutva voice, who has been served a show cause notice for his controversial statements, had in a media interview said that Mr Modi should concentrate on the economy on the one hand and the Hindu agenda on the other. He had also reportedly said, “I can make or break the government.”

On Wednesday, he sang a different tune when he said the construction of Ram temple could wait because the government was focused on development. Maharaj, however, insisted that everybody, including Mr Modi, wants a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

He also denied having issued any threat to the government, saying he was wrongly quoted and went on to claim that he was a soldier of Mr Modi and his admirer. “How can I say that I can make or break the government. Such an arrogance does not befit even a fool, Modi is India’s divine destiny. I am his soldier. He is not a common man but a divine power,” he said.