Modi temple plan shelved after crumbling BJP defeat in Indian capital

APD

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India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shelved scheduled inauguration of a temple dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his home province Gujarat after his party suffered a devastating defeat in the capital last week, local media reported Thursday.

The temple was planned in Rajkot, the fourth largest city of Gujarat.

After Modi said on Twitter that he was "appalled" and "shocked" after seeing news about the temple being built in his name, BJP workers removed bust of Modi from the structure which they had named NaMo temple.

NaMo is a popular acronym for Narendra Modi, who became prime minister of India last May.

The BJP suffered a humiliating defeat in the Delhi local legislative election last week, gaining only three out of 70 seats in the local assembly.

The anti-graft Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arwind Kejrisal won 67 seats and will from a government in the capital this weekend.