PM takes a dig at Advani

NEW DELHI: PM Manmohan Singh on Monday took a swipe at Leader of the Opposition LK Advani over his reported ambitions to lead the country, saying he will have to wait for a “very very long time” and seek permission of senior BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Mr Singh, in a combative mood during his intervention on a debate on Indo-US civil nuclear deal, said Mr Advani had wanted to divide the ruling UPA alliance and topple the government through his remarks made while starting the discussion.

“Honourable Leader of the Opposition has tried to paint a scary picture, which has no relation with the facts of the matter,” he said while strongly defending the civil nuclear deal.

In the process, he has sought also to divide UPA alliance in the expectation that perhaps he may succeed in toppling this government,” the prime minister quipped, adding “I can assure Advani that he will have to wait for a very, very long time.”

Singh did not stop at that and went on to add: “In any case, he will have to seek the permission of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.”

The PM’s remarks came in the wake of the flutter caused in the BJP by Advani’s recent interview to a television news channel that he did not expect Mr Vajpayee to support his candidature for the post of prime minister.