Bangalore: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today (Nov 7) rejected suggestions that he has become a "face of Hindutva".

"I don't think Hindus require any face. From 'Vedas' to Vivekananda, there are hundreds of faces available", he told reporters here when asked if he is a "face of Hindutva".

"I don't think they (Hindus) require a face for the 21st century", Modi said.

Asked for his reaction to Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh's recent statement in Chattisgarh about Gujarat state administration being professional, Modi said: "I used to thank him (Lyngdoh), continue to thank him and I wish there will be more and more opportunities to say thanks to him".

Speaking at a brief function outside the airport to welcome Modi, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief H N Ananth Kumar said the Gujarat Chief Minister has emerged as the "symbol of Hinduism".

PTI