Panaji: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has backed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying that it's time to shed the baggage of 2002 riots.
"I don't think it is wise for us to hold onto something that happened in 2002. He was a new Chief Minister then, so he was inexperienced," said the spiritual leader in Panaji on Thursday.
Modi became the Chief Minister in October 2001 and in 2002, the state witnessed communal violence. The riots took place after several pilgrims returning from Ayodhya, mostly Karsevaks, in Sabarmati Express train were burnt alive inside their bogie in Godhra.
Modi has been facing accusations of not taking steps to prevent the violence which followed the Godhra carnage. The new BJP poll panel chief is seen as a leader who can be projected by his party as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
His elevation has led to divisions within the party with LK Advani, reportedly not happy with the decision, first sending his resignation and later withdrawing it under pressure from the party leaders and the RSS.
The JD(U), a long time ally of the BJP, has also walked out of the NDA citing Modi's new role.
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