In a bid to justify its slander campaign against President-elect Pratibha Patil in the run-up to the presidential poll, the BJP on Tuesday claimed that it was not apologetic, as the issues, which were raised, would continue to be relevant in the time to come.
The party, however, conceded that it considers the sanctity of the country?s highest constitutional office to be more important than the person, and so would not boycott the oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday.
Announcing the party?s stand on the issue Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha LK Advani, while addressing a meeting of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha, said, ?Our party is a firm believer in the constitutional order and therefore we will continue to show due respect to the office of the President of India.?
It may be recalled that it was Advani, who had appealed to the UPA to replace Patil as its candidate and launched a letter campaign against her. ?The issues, which we raised during the campaign, will continue to be as relevant in the time to come as they were before. The outcome of the election does not in the least diminish their importance to India?s polity,? Advani said, adding, that on the contrary, the campaign has provoked all right-thinking people in the country to seriously debate about a choice made by the UPA leadership.
While, blaming the UPA for showing callous attitude in keeping the highest constitutional office out from the suspicion of taint, Advani took exception to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s remarks that the outcome of the election was the ruling alliance?s victory over divisive forces. ?I wish he (Singh) did some honest soul searching on the serious issues that were highlighted by the media,? he added.