BJP distances itself from Advani's comments against PM Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: BJP distanced itself from the statement of its senior leader LK Advani that in the wake of several scams Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should step down and seek a fresh mandate.

"I don't want to comment on this issue. I am too small a person to comment on it," Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia said.

He was replying to a question on whether the party agreed with Advani's views.

Speaking at a party function in Nellore on August 21, Advani had said due to the spate of scams in this government, Singh- who, he said, had not fought direct elections- should quit the post and contest.

Other senior leaders from the BJP have also distanced themselves from Advani's views and refused to comment.

Senior BJP leaders refuted reports that the directions to seek Singh's resignation had come from RSS during the recent conclave at Ujjain which was attended by Advani and other senior party functionaries.

BJP has been wary of seeking Prime Minister Singh's resignation as he has the image of an honest politician. The opposition has dubbed him a "weak" PM and asked him to assert himself but refrained from seeking his resignation.