Advani's interview puts BJP in a fix

NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leader LK Advani’s remarks that he would be a candidate for the prime minister’s post and that his role is now reduced to a consultant in the organisation have left the party in an awkward situation.

Many in the party are surprised that what prompted a leader of his stature to go public with such comments, especially ahead of elections in several states, including Uttar Pradesh.

“We are surprised that he spoke this way, calling himself a consultant and a candidate for the prime minister’s post,” a senior BJP leader, who wanted not to be named, said.

Mr Advani is believed to be upset with party chief Rajnath Singh, who replaced him last year after his row with the RSS, for allowing the Sangh a greater role in the party. Mr Singh, who is strongly supported by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was re-elected to the post last month.

Party sources fear Advani’s comments may supply the ruling Congress with fresh ammunition to attack the party as a divided house ahead of Assembly elections. “There was no need for him to use media as a platform to raise such a matter,” a party leader remarked. Officially, the BJP on Monday stayed tight-lipped about its leader’s remarks.

Senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra parried questions about the party’s stand on Advani’s comments, saying any decision in this regard would be made only after the telecast of the interview by a television channel.