'Modi never claimed to have saved 15,000 Gujaratis in Uttarakhand'

Amid war of words between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party over reports that Narendra Modi had rescued 15,000 Gujaratis from Uttarakhand, BJP chief Rajnath Singh said the Gujarat chief minister never gave such a statement.

"Modi went to Uttarakhand to express his sympathies and it is being said that he evacuated 15,000 Gujaratis from there. I myself talked to him and he said that he never gave any such statement, Singh told reporters in Lucknow.

"How it is being publicised is beyond understanding," the BJP chief, who is on a two-day visit to the state, said.

Singh said he had appealed to party workers that no statement should be given to politicise Uttarakhand disaster. "I have asked them that there is no need to be aggressive even if leader of any other political party make any statement," he said.

"BJP workers are sensitive and consider expressing sympathies and extending helping hand as their religion," Singh said.

The Congress had attacked Modi saying he was trying to be a "Rambo" following reports that the Gujarat CM had helped in evacuating 15,000 Gujaratis who were stuck in Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile the BJP also announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those killed in the helicopter crash in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

The BJP chief dispatched relief material and financial assistance of Rs 56 lakh for Uttarakhand victims on behalf of party's Uttar Pradesh unit. He said he had appealed to all party MPs and MLAs to donate at least their one month's salary.

"Several organisations and political parties are extending maximum help in relief work. I appeal to all party workers to extend maximum help," he said.

He said a calamity relief fund has also been set up at the central level of the party in which donation would be deposited. "Whatever amount is received and whatever is spend will be made public," Singh said.