Narendra Modi is a tiger, a national saint, says Congress MP Vijay Darda

New Delhi: In an embarrassment to the Congress, party MP Vijay Darda on Sunday praised Gujarat Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi and called him a tiger and a national saint. Darda's remarks are bound to spark a political storm across party lines.

The Congress leader, however, quickly added his statement was out of respect for Modi. He said,"I am from the Jain community, what I said was out of respect, no need to make an issue out of this."

Reacting to Darda's statement, Modi said, "I hope this doesn't become breaking news in tomorrow's newspaper."

Congress MP Vijay Darda, however, quickly added his statement was out of respect for the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Modi also took a dig at the Congress high command and drew a parallel with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shahid Siddiqui and said, "Hope Darda is not summoned by Congress high command asking for resignation."

The SP had on Saturday distanced itself from Shahid Siddiqui, saying he is no longer a part of the party two days after he had interviewed Modi.

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