Mind your language: Joshi to Gadkari

BJP president Nitin Gadkari, under fire from the Congress and other Opposition parties over his intemperate political rhetoric in several recent instances, now faced criticism on the same count from a senior leader of his own party.

Former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi, while speaking to reporters in Varanasi late Sunday night, expressed clear disapproval of Mr Gadkari’s remarks against the Congress and others when he said: “Even strong criticism can be said in appropriate words.” Mr Joshi had initially tried to avoid the issue, but spoke out after persistent questioning by the media.

Earlier on Sunday, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, speaking to reporters at Behrampore in West Bengal, also adopted a similar line, saying that while “making comments on an issue, political leaders should maintain decency”. He did not refer to Mr Gadkari by name.