‘Corrupt’ Rajiv Gandhi? V Srinivasaprasad differs with Narendra Modi

Mysuru: Senior BJP leader, V Srinivasaprasad, who joined the saffron party only last year after spending decades with the Congress, on Wednesday rose to the defence of the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, who was described as corrupt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lucknow recently.

"I object to this. I closely observed Mr Rajiv Gandhi. His politics was exemplary. He never spoke about corruption. In fact he spoke about staying away from politics when he faced allegations of corruption. Even the Delhi high court gave him a clean chit and he was known as Mr Clean among people. He said he had entered politics because of the people's love for his family and not for power or money. His death was for the nation. I don't think it was right of Mr Modi to speak about such a person in this manner and charge him with corruption," he told reporters here.

Also dismissing all speculation about his recent meeting with JD(S) state chief, A H Vishwanath, he said the latter had merely paid him a courtesy call as they had been friends for years.