BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi defended Modi, saying that many people get pictures clicked with public figures.
"Anyone can come and get a picture with me. I cannot ask for an identity card each time. The Congress is making a mountain out of a molehill," she said.
Another BJP leader Prakash Javadekar told IANS that the alleged hawala trader had met Modi publicly.
"He met Modiji as part of a delegation. Such allegations show the bankruptcy of the Congress. They are defending the indefensible and ignoring the corruption in their own backyard," Javadekar said, referring to the party's allegations against Robert Vadra.
Asked why Shah first retweeted then deleted the picture on his Twitter timeline, Javadekar said that he was not aware of it. 'Please ask him (Shah)," he said.