Ending the leadership debate in the party, the BJP on Monday decided to project Opposition leader LK Advani as its prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections.
With the Sangh Parivar and former prime minister AB Vajpayee, who is not keeping well for the last some months, giving consent, BJP president Rajnath Singh formally announced Advani?s name to lead the party in next general elections.
By choosing Advani, the BJP has presented a fair accompli to NDA partners who will have little option but to back Advani?s leadership within the NDA.
?Lok Sabha elections are not far now. The parliamentary board decided unanimously that Advani ji will lead the party in the next Lok Sabha elections,? Singh told a press conference after the meeting of his party?s parliamentary board. ?The decision has the consent of Vajpayee ji,? he added.
?We met Vajpayee ji. He said due to health reasons, he cannot participate in active politics. So, it is better that Advani leads the party,? Singh told reporters. The decision was endorsed by the senior leaders of the party, including Murli Manohar Joshi, who was also considered as a contender for the post.
The Sangh Parivar, who has been at loggerheads with Advani after his speech in Pakistan calling Mohammed Ali Jinnah a secular, also cleared his name as the next prime ministerial candidate. Reacting to the decision, Advani expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership, particularly Vajpayee. ?I have worked for a long time under his leadership,? he said. ?I pray to God to give me strength to fulfill the expectations,? the former BJP president said.