(L) PM Modi does Ganpati aarti with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. (R) This India Today archive image shows former PM Manmohan Singh with then Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan at an iftar party hosted at his residence. (Photos: India Today Archives)

BJP's 'Manmohan Singh's Iftar' counter to row over PM's Ganpati with Chief Justice

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared an old picture of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting an iftar party at his residence in 2009, which was attended by then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan among others.

by · India Today

In Short

  • PM shares pictures of Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud's residence
  • Opposition criticises PM's visit, citing judicial impartiality concerns
  • Shehzad Poonawalla shares old picture of Manmohan Singh's iftar party with then Chief Justice

The BJP has accused the Opposition of 'double standards' for targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's home. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared an old picture of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting an iftar party at his residence in 2009, which was attended by then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan among others.

"2009- PM Manmohan Singh's Iftar Party was attended by then CJI KG Balakrishnan- Sshhhh - Yeh Secular hai.. judiciary is safe. PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at current CJI House - oh God Judiciary compromised (sic)," said Poonawalla in his tweet.

Shehzad Poonawalla shared pictures from India Today archives, which show Manmohan Singh and then Congress President Sonia Gandhi welcoming several dignitaries.

This 2009 image shows former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his wife Gursharan Kaur and then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at the iftar party organised at the PM's residence in New Delhi. (Photo: India Today archives)

The iftar event saw the presence of political leaders such as then BJP chief Lal Krishna Advani, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, and Rashtriya Janata Dal's Lalu Prasad Yadav.

(From L-R) Lal Krishna Advani, Sitaram Yechury, and Lalu Prasad Yadav. (Photo: India Today archives)

Former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan, ex-Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, and Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were also present at the event.

Former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan and ex-Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao with Manmohan Singh at the iftar party. (Photo: India Today archives)

Earlier, the BJP had criticised the opposition leaders questioning PM Modi visiting Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's home, saying it was restricted to Ganpati Puja celebrations and was a "part of our culture".

On Wednesday, PM Modi shared pictures from Chandrachud's residence in Delhi. The Chief Justice and his wife, Kalpana Das, were seen welcoming the Prime Minister, who wore traditional Maharashtrian attire for the occasion.

Watch: PM attends Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice Chandrachud's home

The opposition parties criticised PM Modi's visit, saying a distance should be maintained between the sitting custodians of the legislature and judiciary. They also suggested that it might raise doubts about judicial impartiality in the minds of the people.

"Our case of Maharashtra... the hearing is going on before CJI Chandrachud, so we have doubts if we will get justice because the PM is the other party in the case. The Chief Justice should distance himself from this case because his relation with the other party in the case is openly visible. Will CJI Chandrachud be able to give us justice in such a situation?" Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said.

Top government sources told India Today that the CJI had sent invites to several dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, for the Ganpati Puja. Sources said PM Modi left immediately after the ritual and after taking prasad.

Several other officials of the Supreme Court were also present at the event, sources said.