The Shiv Sena today accused the BJP of giving a "political colour" to the ritual of immersion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes, saying the "staged" affection made the great leader look small after his death.


After the 93-year-old leader's death on August 16, the BJP had decided to immerse his ashes in various rivers across the country. In remarks laced with sarcasm, the Sena said while no importance is given to veteran BJP leaders, their ashes are treated with importance.


A true obituary to a person is to carry forward his thoughts, instead of projecting a "staged" affection towards him, it said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.


"The vacuum created after Vajpayee's death is being attempted to be filled in (by some) with ridiculous and unsuitable ways. There is no importance given to veterans in the BJP but their ashes are treated with importance," it said.


Vajpayee had a pan-India appeal and senior leaders of various political parties were present at his last rites because he was great in all ways, it noted. "But there have been attempts to make him look small after his death," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. Instead of the ashes immersion ritual being performed by one party, it should have been carried out as a national event involving all parties, it said. -- PTI


Image: PM Modi and Amit Shah with urns containing Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes at the BJP's Delhi HQ.