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Modi's estranged wife speaks out, says he is like Lord Ram to her

Jashodaben | PTI

Days after Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel said at an anganwadi function at Timari in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “not married”, estranged wife of PM Modi, Jashodaben, came out with a statement saying the claim that Modi is not married is false.

In a video clip that has gone viral, Jashodaben is seen reading out a statement saying that her husband is like Lord Ram to her and one should stop maligning his image. “An insult to Jashodaben is an insult to the prime minister,” she is heard saying in the clip.

The video was shot on a mobile in Unjha, North Gujarat, where she stays, by one of her relatives who does not wish to be named.

Speaking to THE WEEK over phone, Jashodaben said she felt the need to shoot the video as she wanted people to know the truth. Jashodaben wondered how Anandiben Patel could make such a statement and said, “during Patel's tenure as the chief minister, security was sent for me.”

“Truth will remain truth,” Jashodaben said.

In the video, Jashodaben, who introduces herself as Jashodaben Narendrakumar Modi, is seen wearing a colourful saree and mangalsutra. She states in the video that while filing nomination papers from Vadodara and Varanasi Lok Sabha constituencies, PM Modi had mentioned her as his wife. “I have the copies of the forms that were filled,” she says.

In another short clip of 10 seconds that has emerged, Jashodaben is heard saying without mentioning the prime minister's name, “I was his wife. I am and would remain his wife and it is correct that he is married.”

In 2014, this writer had spoken to a couple of people who had taken part in Modi's marriage. A few of PM Modi's childhood friends had said Modi married under parental pressure, but left home later. He did not stay with Jashodaben after marriage. According to them, she lived at her in-laws place (Modi's parents) in Vadnagar for some time, and later went back to her parental home.

Even today, Jashodaben remains glued to television screen when there is an address by PM Modi and closely follows the prime minister's engagements.