New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on December 9 defended raking up the name of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in his poll campaign, saying it was in response to the latter's reference to his state at the United Nations.

"I began referring to Mian Musharraf only after he referred to Gujarat in his address to the UN," Modi told "Hotline" programme on Star News.

He was responding to a question on why despite being only a state Chief Minister, he was repeatedly raising the name of a head of state.

Modi also said he would bluntly tell Musharraf "the harsh realities" in clear terms if ever he happened to meet the Pakistani President as part of some delegation.

In his address to the world body, Musharraf had attacked "Hindu terrorists" for the massacre of minorities in Gujarat.

He said neither the Godhra massacre nor its violent aftermath "behoved any civilised society".

However, Godhra has become a symbol, he asserted.

Claiming that he sincerely tried to protect people during the riots, Modi said he welcomed criticism but not allegations. "Allegations are dangerous to Democracy," he said.

Modi also claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s performance in the Assembly elections would be "unprecedented".

PTI