Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, whose remark that his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi is his "best friend" did not go well with his Congress colleagues, today said it was taken out of context to create a 'hype'.
"My statement has been taken out of context solely to create media and political hype," Kamat, who left the BJP in 2005 and joined the Congress, said at his official residence here, seeking to put a lid on the controversy over his remark.
"I want to firmly state that selective interpretation of a casual remark could not undermine my commitment and loyalty to the Congress party's secular ideology and liberal politics," he asserted. In New Delhi, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi when asked about Kamat's remark cryptically said, "party is aware of it". Dwivedi did not elaborate. During a press conference two days ago, Kamat had termed Modi as his "best friend".
"When I am in Delhi for any conference, I have (Chief Minister) Sheila Dikshit on one side and Narendra Modi on the other. He is my best friend," Kamat said on Thursday.
The remarks drew a sharp reaction in the Congress with the party's Goa unit president Subhash Shirodkar demanding that the high command take action against him.
Kamat clarified that while replying to a reporter's query whether he enjoyed good relationship with Modi, he had stated that he has good relations with all Chief Ministers, including that of Gujarat. "I had told the reporters I would not be attending the function for which Gujarat Chief Minister has invited me," Kamat said.
"I am now surprised that this particular remark is being selectively chosen to create confusion and hype," the Goa Chief Minister said. PTI
