Click to Expand & PlayNagpur: LK Advani spent his morning in Nagpur today, where he says he discussed his 'rath yatra' against corruption with BJP President Nitin Gadkari and Mohan Bhagwat, who heads the BJP's parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).
There have been reports that the RSS has expressed its reservations about Mr Advani's nationwide tour, and has indicated that it would like the veteran politician to curb any prime ministerial ambitions and focus on mentoring younger leaders. Mr Advani denied these reports, stressing that Mr Bhagwat had blessed his yatra. He was less categorical about his stand on whether he will try to be the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister. "All I want to say is that I was a member of the sangh, then I joined the Jan Sangh and then I joined the BJP," he said. "What I have received from these organizations, my co-workers and the people of this country is much superior than the post of the Prime Minister."
Mr Advani announced his plans for a yatra - his sixth so far - a few weeks ago, surprising many within his own party. His critics saw it as an attempt to re-establish himself as the main face of the BJP ahead of the next general election, scheduled for 2014.
Mr Advani counters that the recent catalogue of scams that have burst into the national landscape have convinced him that his "yatra for clean governance" is needed. Mr Advani focused in particular on the cash-for-votes scam - three BJP MPs were allegedly bribed with one crore to abstain during a trust vote for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008. Describing this incident as the "biggest scam in independent India," Mr Advani reiterated that the arrest of two of those three BJP MPs is unfair punishment for men who acted as whistle-blowers. The trio of MPs had shown the money to the Lok Sabha hours before the vote on July 22, 2008. Mr Advani had said a few days ago that he too should be arrested since he was aware of his MPs' efforts to expose the government's willingness to buy votes. The Delhi Police arrested politician Amar Singh for bribing the MPs, but has not explained on whose behalf he was acting.
Explaining the reasons for his visit to Nagpur, Mr Advani said he wanted to call on Mr Gadkari, who has recently undergone gastric bypass surgery. He said he also wanted to meet the RSS chief. "I felt it would be very appropriate... I want to discuss everything that is in my mind including the yatra." About his tour, he said, "The details have been finalised. It will go through all major states and capitals, including those in the North East."
The BJP has been fighting reports that its chief minister in Gujarat, Narendra Modi, said that Mr Advani should not launch his yatra in Gujarat. Mr Modi, who is also believed to nurture ambitions of being his party's candidate for Prime Minister, just completed a three-day fast in his state that he dedicated to the promotion of harmony.
Mr Modi's fast, attended by thousands including senior party leaders like Mr Advani, was seen as his attempt to project himself as a leader capable of moving to the national stage. He also emphasized his commitment to secularism - seen as his attempt to combat the perception that he did not do enough to prevent the communal riots that ravaged Gujarat in 2002, killing 1200 people.
There have been reports that the RSS has expressed its reservations about Mr Advani's nationwide tour, and has indicated that it would like the veteran politician to curb any prime ministerial ambitions and focus on mentoring younger leaders. Mr Advani denied these reports, stressing that Mr Bhagwat had blessed his yatra. He was less categorical about his stand on whether he will try to be the BJP's candidate for Prime Minister. "All I want to say is that I was a member of the sangh, then I joined the Jan Sangh and then I joined the BJP," he said. "What I have received from these organizations, my co-workers and the people of this country is much superior than the post of the Prime Minister."
Mr Advani announced his plans for a yatra - his sixth so far - a few weeks ago, surprising many within his own party. His critics saw it as an attempt to re-establish himself as the main face of the BJP ahead of the next general election, scheduled for 2014.
Mr Advani counters that the recent catalogue of scams that have burst into the national landscape have convinced him that his "yatra for clean governance" is needed. Mr Advani focused in particular on the cash-for-votes scam - three BJP MPs were allegedly bribed with one crore to abstain during a trust vote for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008. Describing this incident as the "biggest scam in independent India," Mr Advani reiterated that the arrest of two of those three BJP MPs is unfair punishment for men who acted as whistle-blowers. The trio of MPs had shown the money to the Lok Sabha hours before the vote on July 22, 2008. Mr Advani had said a few days ago that he too should be arrested since he was aware of his MPs' efforts to expose the government's willingness to buy votes. The Delhi Police arrested politician Amar Singh for bribing the MPs, but has not explained on whose behalf he was acting.
Explaining the reasons for his visit to Nagpur, Mr Advani said he wanted to call on Mr Gadkari, who has recently undergone gastric bypass surgery. He said he also wanted to meet the RSS chief. "I felt it would be very appropriate... I want to discuss everything that is in my mind including the yatra." About his tour, he said, "The details have been finalised. It will go through all major states and capitals, including those in the North East."
The BJP has been fighting reports that its chief minister in Gujarat, Narendra Modi, said that Mr Advani should not launch his yatra in Gujarat. Mr Modi, who is also believed to nurture ambitions of being his party's candidate for Prime Minister, just completed a three-day fast in his state that he dedicated to the promotion of harmony.
Mr Modi's fast, attended by thousands including senior party leaders like Mr Advani, was seen as his attempt to project himself as a leader capable of moving to the national stage. He also emphasized his commitment to secularism - seen as his attempt to combat the perception that he did not do enough to prevent the communal riots that ravaged Gujarat in 2002, killing 1200 people.
No comments:
Post a Comment