A day after Finance Minister P Chidambaram hit out at BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at the World Economic Forum in Davos, prominent India Inc leader and Godrej chairman Adi Godrej lent a voice of support to Mr Modi in the Swiss Alps. (Watch)
"Modi-led government might be the best option for a pro-growth government," Mr Godrej said.
Mr Chidambaram, on Wednesday, called BJP's economic policies retrograde and "blood-eyed". He also took a personal dig at Mr Modi and asked why the Gujarat Chief Minister had never fielded a Muslim candidate.
Far away from the Swiss Alps, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley in Delhi on Thursday sprung to his party and Mr Modi's defence by citing a report from Moody's that backed the Gujarat Chief Minister's investment friendly policies.
Mr Jaitley said, "Coincidentally, on the day that he (Chidambaram) chose to speak about the BJP and Narendra Modi at Davos, Moody's has come out with its India report which is highlighted in the media. Its reporting indicates that the industry is today waiting for a political change led by Narendra Modi for a major turn-around to take place."
"He (Chidambaram) was expected to market the Indian economy when the political and trade leaders of various countries' meet. Instead, he has chosen to speak on BJP and Modi," Mr Jaitley said.
Moody's Analytics, a division of global ratings agency Moody's in its India Outlook report however also said that Mr Modi faces challenges in attracting non Hindu-votes and may have difficulty forming a minority government with smaller parties.
"...although his good record as chief minister of Gujarat suggests he can overcome these obstacles. If elected, a Modi-led BJP government should offer a more business-friendly policy that will further support confidence and investment," the report said.
Mr Godrej's India Inc colleague Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of infra major HCC, also spoke in support of Mr Modi on Friday at Davos.
"Believe Modi is for jobs creation and investments...Modi talks about a market economy," he said.
