The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has criticised former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his remarks that Gujarat riots were responsible for Bharatiya Janata Party's debacle in just concluded Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing the concluding function of month-long training camp organised by the outfit here last night, RSS Chief K Sudarshan asked, "If this was the reason then why BJP did not lose the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh? "

Without naming Vajpayee, Sudarshan said the former premier had attributed the defeat to Gujarat riots, which was wrong.

Continuing his tirade against the national English press, Sudarshan said Vajpayee might have succumbed to the 'pressure' as the electronic media too portrayed the Gujarat riots as the prime reason behind the BJP debacle.

"All English newspapers and electronic media had blown up the post-Godhra riots out of proportion but conveniently forgot the Godhra carnage," he said.

"Some people who call themselves as modern, liberal and broad minded have been endevouring to keep the Gujarat riots alive," Sudarshan added.