LK Advani praises Narendra Modi's work for rural areas

NEW DELHI: Putting a rest to speculations of a rift, BJP veteran leader LK Advani on Monday praised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his development work in the state.

Addressing a gathering in Chhattisgarh, Advani said, "Narendra Modi was the first leader to work for rural areas." His praise for Modi, who was last week anointed as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections, is being seen as a complete endorsement of the Gujarat CM.

Narendra Modi and L K Advani will share the dais at a party rally in Bhopal on September 25.

"All the party leaders will be there. You will find both", BJP President Rajnath Singh told reporters when asked if Advani will attend the rally Modi is scheduled to address in Bhopal.

If that happens, that will be the first time Modi will share the dais with Advani since the Gujarat Chief Minister's selection as the PM candidate.

Meanwhile, in his first public rally after being anointed BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, Modi on Sunday attacked the the Centre for "mishandling" the recent border troubles with Pakistan and China, saying solutions can be found under a "strong leadership".

Modi also came out in strong defence of the Army and called it a "symbol of secularism" lessons of which, he said, should be learnt by politicians.

"The problems are not at the borders, but it lies in Delhi (Centre)," Modi said addressing a huge gathering of ex-servicemen at Ahirwal region of Haryana.

A solution to these issues can only be found if there is a "strong leadership" at the Centre with a person leading from the front, said Modi, who has attacked the "weak" policies of the UPA government towards its neighbours.