The BJP on Saturday accused the author of the Time magazine article that called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "divider in chief" of pursuing Pakistan's agenda and termed it an attempt to malign Modi's image.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told a press conference that article's author was a Pakistani and that nothing better can be expected from Pakistan. He also took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for retwitting the story.

The piece, a sharp criticism of Modi's leadership, has been written by Aatish Taseer, son of Indian journalist Tavleen Singh and late Pakistani politician and businessman Salmaan Taseer.

Patra said several foreign magazines had written stories critical of Modi in 2014 as well.

Calling the Prime Minister a unifier, the BJP spokesperson listed a number of welfare measures started by the Modi government to claim that the country was heading towards a new India under his "reforming, performing and transforming" agenda.

Patra also slammed Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his barbs at Modi, accusing Sidhu of making racist and sexist remarks.

Taking a swipe at Sidhu, Patra said he keeps making all sort of loose statements but has not spoken a word against Congress leader Sam Pitroda's "so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Pitroda, a close aide of Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, on Thursday said, 'hua to hua' (So what, it happened) about the anti-Sikh riots. He made this remark in response to a question on the riots by a newsman in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

Patra claimed Sidhu was targetting Modi at the behest of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath who, he alleged was also involved in the riots.

Sidhu at a poll rally had asked people to defeat "kale angrez", in an apparent attempt to liken the Modi Government to the British rule before independence.

The Congress leader had also claimed that Modi was like a bride who makes noise from her bangles to give an impression that she was working hard but did not really work.

Patra said these remarks showed the Congress' mindset.