Modi Gets Surprise Backing from Oppn as Few More Congress Leaders Says 'Demonising PM is Wrong'

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Friday backed party leader Jairam Ramesh's remarks on Narendra Modi, saying demonising the prime minister was "wrong" and acts must be judged issue-wise, not person-wise.

Speaking at a book launch on Wednesday, former Union minister Ramesh had said that Narendra Modi's governance model was "not a complete negative story", adding that not recognising his work and demonising him all the time was not going to help.

Echoing Ramesh's views, Singhvi tweeted, "Always said demonising Modi wrong. Not only is he PM of nation, a one way opposition actually helps him."

"Acts are always good, bad and indifferent they must be judged issue wise and not person wise. Certainly, ujjawala scheme is only one amongst other good deeds," he said.

Tharoor also joined him, saying, "As you know, I have argued for six years now that Narendra Modi should be praised whenever he says or does the right thing, which would add credibility to our criticisms whenever he errs. I welcome others in opposition coming around to a view for which I was excoriated at the time."

Their comments were later supported by Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee, who said criticisms should be as per policies, not personalities.

Ramesh had also cited how successful the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUJ) had turned out for Modi.

Countering Ramesh and the other leaders, former Union minister and Congress veteran K K Tewary said some "self-propagating" leaders in the Congress had "hijacked" the party and were making all kinds of comments that were not in the interest of the party.

"Some self-propagating leaders in the party, who never fight elections and find a sanctuary in the Rajya Sabha, have hijacked the party," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)