BJP wary of PM statue plan

The ambitious plans of some BJP workers to construct a 100-foot tall statue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sardhana in Meerut may not see the light of day.

Senior BJP leaders are wary of the project and feel that it would send a wrong message among the people.

J.P. Singh, a retired engineer in Meerut had announced his plans to construct a 100-feet statue of the Prime Minister in Sardhana town. The engineer, who retired from government service last week, said he planned to construct a temple named ‘Modi Mandir’, though he made it clear that it is only being named in the PM’s honour and will not be used to worship the Prime Minister in anyway.

The retired engineer even announced that the Bhoomi Pujan of the project would take place on October 23 and BJP president Amit Shah was being invited for the event.

Talking to this correspondent on Wednesday, a senior BJP leader said, “We are not sure if the project can be allowed at this stage. Mr Modi himself is not too inclined to such initiatives. He wants to focus more on work than on idol worship by party workers”.

With elections in Gujarat and then other states scheduled to be held over the next few months, followed by the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP, sources said, is keen to present the humane side of the Prime Minister and project him as a man who is working overtime for the development of the country and its people.

The BJP apparently does not wish to give any fodder to the Opposition for criticism.