BJP defends Modi decision to invite Pakistan, Sri Lanka to swearing-in ceremony

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa said the “ill-advised” move of inviting Rajapaksa could have been avoided as it amounted to “rubbing salt into the wounds of the already deeply injured Tamil psyche”.

DMK also said Modi could have “avoided” inviting the Sri Lankan President for his swearing-in ceremony and should “understand the feelings” of people of Tamil Nadu.

Congress, on the other hand, took a jibe at BJP over the invitation to Nawaz Sharif, reminding the party of its earlier remarks that terror and talks cannot go hand in hand.

“Throughout the election campaign, you saw a lot of anti- Pakistan rhetoric which was articulated by the BJP in a language which was extremly vociferous to say the least. And now you have this invitation to Prime Minister of Pakistan.

“So, therefore, it is for BJP to introspect as to whether terror and invitations can go hand in hand,” Congress leader Manish Tewari told reporters here.