`If I am a relic, so is Advani`

As the nation inches towards another Lok Sabha polls, one of the biggest political parties of India, BJP is weathering an internal storm. The prime reason for this is that one of the founders and most senior leader of the party, former Vice-President of India Bhairon Sigh Shekhawat, who has openly questioned BJP’s choice of Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani.In a candid chat with ZeeNews.com’s Swati Chaturvedi in ‘Kahiye Janab’, this stalwart of Indian politics talked about all the controversies of recent times, his claims to BJP’s prime ministerial candidature and his tirade against former Rajasthan CM, Vasundhara Raje Scindia. Shekhawat who is not a member of BJP since he was sworn in as VP of India seven years ago, said that there are some people in the party who don’t want him to come back to the party, and that is why no one has invited him to join back even after two years of his Vice Presidential term getting over. But he added in the same breath that LK Advani and AB Vajpayee cannot be counted among them. He went on to add, “These people have created an intellectual vacuum in the party as they are working to further their own selfish interest and are harming the party’s prospects.” On being asked about his tirade against Vasundhara Raje Scindia and his allegations of corruptions, Shekhawat said, “I had cautioned Vasundhara earlier about wrong doings but she ignored it. When things went over the top, I decided to deal with it strictly. I can’t tolerate this even if it is in the family.” He further added that, “I am deeply hurt by Vasundhara’s attitude.” About the news that he would be fighting elections, Shekhawat said, “I have not yet decided whether to contest elections or not. I had only said that if people want and health permits then I am open to fighting elections.” About his alleged four point demands, the BJP stalwart said, “I never made any such demands. When I talked to Advani Ji, I asked him to remove Vasundhara Raje and probe the sale of party’s ticket in last assembly elections in Rajasthan, but his response was also not very good. His attitude has hurt me as well.” On being asked about the comment of a BJP leader referring to him as a ‘relic’, a seemingly upset Shekhawat said, “If I am a ‘relic’, so are Advani and Vajpayee. I don’t mind this but it is an insult to both Atal and Advani.” When asked about his Prime Ministerial candidature, Shekhawat tried to be politically correct saying that he is not a member of BJP as of now and he has not thought about it. He said, “I have never considered it as an option especially when Vajpayee and Advani are there. But if the situation changes, I will change too”, clearly indicating towards his will and fuelling further speculations. Adaptation By: Sharique N Siddiquie